Correction

A item published Oct. 24, 2020, dealing with a UC Irvine panel discussion of Proposition 14 incorrectly said that the event would be Oct. 5. It will be on Oct. 6.  

Beating the Stem Cell Drum: The Quest for $5.5 Billion More

Four significant events are coming up this fall that offer golden opportunities to draw attention to the $5.5 billion ballot measure that would financially revive the California stem cell agency and send it along a new and more expansive road. 

The measure is Proposition 14, sponsored by Robert Klein, the Palo Alto, Ca., real estate developer and attorney who was the first chairman of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine(CIRM). He crafted the proposal and is leading the campaign.

The measure would provide $5.5 billion more for CIRM at a total estimated cost of $7.8  billion, which includes the interest on the state bonds. The agency was funded with $3 billion in 2004, which will run out this year. In addition to providing more cash, Proposition 14 would make major changes in CIRM itself. (See here for full text.)

August is a bit of a sleepy month for public attention to state ballot initiatives, although much campaign work has long been underway behind the scenes. After Labor Day, activities will step up, especially this year. All of California's 20 million voters will be getting ballots in the mail and can begin voting in early October. There will be no waiting until Nov. 3. 

The Democratic presidential campaign is also urging early voting, which is likely to trigger higher than normal ballot returns in October. So voters need to be persuaded early. 

The online events coming up create an opportunity for voters to learn more about the stem cell agency and its accomplishments. They also create a first-class springboard for generating coverage in the media about the agency. Opponents, as well, could use them to mount their own stories. 

Here are the events that are known so far. More may be coming. If you know of others, please send an email to djensen@californiastemcellreport.com

CIRM's grantee meeting, Sept. 14-15 -- Sponsored by CIRM and which will bring together grantees for an exploration of the work financed by the agency.  Speakers include Maria Millan, CEO of CIRM, researcher Irv Weissman of Stanford and Larry Goldstein of UC San Diego. 

CIRM's Alpha Clinic Symposium, Oct. 8 -- Sponsored by UC Davis, site of one of the clinics, which specialize in delivering stem cell therapies. CIRM kicked off the Alpha network with $50 million.  Topics will include a look at CIRM's $5 million Covid effort, which includes involvement in two clinical trials. Register here. 

UC Irvine panel, Oct. 6, sponsored by UC Irvine. This event is focused sharply on Proposition 14. It is still being organized but expects to feature researchers, opponents and media. We will post more details as they become available. 

Cell and Gene Meeting on the Mesa, Oct. 12-16 -- Organized by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, this is an industry event that requires fees.  It has attracted as many 1,200 persons in the past and has a robust preliminary agenda that digs into the future of cell therapies.  The event was previously staged in La Jolla, Ca., but is now online. 

Read the California Stem Cell Report regularly for the latest and most in-depth coverage of the effort to save the California stem cell agency from financial extinction. 

(Editor's note: An earlier version of this item incorrectly said that the Irvine panel was Oct. 5.)