National Ataxia

Foundation

ResearchDiscoveriesAnswers

The National Ataxia Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of persons affected
by ataxia through support, education, and research
Medical Research Advisory Board
Research Director
Harry Orr, PhD
University of Minnesota, MN

Medical Director
Susan Perlman, MD
UCLA School of Medicine, CA

Medical Liaison
Lawrence Schut, MD
St. Cloud, MN

Associate Research Director

Laura Ranum, PhD
University of Florida, FL

Tetsuo Ashizawa, MD
University of Florida, FL

Khalaf Bushara, MD, MRCP

University of Minnesota, MN

Brent L. Fogel, MD, PhD

UCLA School of Medicine, CA

Christopher Gomez, MD, PhD

University of Chicago, IL
Joanna Jen, MD, PhD
UCLA School of Medicine, CA

Bronya Keats, PhD

Australian National University, Australia
Albert LaSpada, MD, PhD, FACMG
University of California, San Diego, CA

David Lynch, MD
University of Pennsylvania, PA

Russell Margolis, MD
Johns Hopkins University, MD

Puneet Opal, MD, PhD

Northwestern University, IL

Glin z, PhD
University of Minnesota, MN

Massimo Pandolfo, MD
Universite Libre de Bruxelles Hospital
Erasme, Belgium
Henry Paulson, MD, PhD
University of Michigan, MI

Christopher Pearson, PhD

The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto,
Canada

Stefan Pulst, MD
University of Utah Health Sciences Center,
UT
Jeremy Schmahmann, MD
Harvard Medical School, MA

Vikram Shakkottai, MD, PhD

University of Michigan, MI
S.H Subramony, MD
University of Florida, FL

George Wilmot, III, MD, PhD

Emory University School of Medicine, GA

Robert Wilson, MD, PhD

University of Pennsylvania, PA

Huda Zoghbi, MD
Baylor College of Medicine, TX

Research match available again this year!

October 2014

Dear Friends of NAF,

Did you know that your $100 research donation may increase to $200, $300, $1,500, $3,000 or more for
ataxia research? First, your research donation will be matched dollar for dollar up to $200,000 by our
generous anonymous donor. In addition, many times employers offer a matching gifts program. Those funds
will then be used to support promising ataxia research studies.

In past years, NAF funded ataxia researchers often times see a 5-10 fold increase or more in additional
research funding support from other sources after being awarded NAFs initial research grant. So, your $100
research donation is matched by our anonymous donor, an employer match will double your gift again, then
the individual NAF funded researcher may receive a 5 to 10 times increase in funding after NAFs initial
research grant award.
Every research dollar raised from October 15 December 15, 2014 will be matched by our anonymous donor
up to $200,000.00. Please take advantage of this matching gift to help support additional crucial ataxia
research. Each research dollar brings us closer in finding answers to stop ataxia.

Last years NAF Annual Ataxia Research Drive saw an overwhelming response of support from our
incredible donors. We are truly grateful to all who so generously gave to the research drive which enabled
NAF to fund 24 promising ataxia research studies with a funding commitment of more than $1,000,000.
Vital studies that are being conducted today which will help lead us in finding more answers to end ataxia.
A listing of these important studies and summaries can be found on NAFs web site, www.ataxia.org.

Today NAF is reviewing more than 100 important ataxia research proposals from scientists in 19 countries.
The largest number of research applications and highest number of international researchers in NAFs
history. These quality research applications include many forms of SCAs, Friedreichs ataxia, Sporadic ataxia,
AOA, Episodic ataxia, A-T, new gene discoveries, and others. The best science will be funded in late
December 2014 based on merit, relevance, and funding availability. The number of studies funded and
dollar amounts will depend on you.

Thank you in advance for your generous support of the 2014 NAF Annual Ataxia Research Drive,
ResearchDiscoveriesAnswers. Together we are making a difference. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Harry T. Orr, Ph. D.

NAF Research Director

Susan Perlman, M.D.

NAF Medical Director

Charlene Danielson
NAF President

PS Although you may certainly designate your research gift to a specific type of ataxia, please consider
designating your research donation to the General Ataxia Research Fund to help support the best science in
the world. On-line research donations are also welcomed at www.ataxia.org. Thank you!
(Over)

Research...Discoveries...Answers
http://tinyurl.com/2014researchdrive

MSA
DRPLA

For your convenience, donations to ataxia research can also be made online at http://tinyurl.com/2014researchdrive

2600 Fernbrook Lane, Suite 119 Minneapolis, MN 55447-4752

Telephone (763) 553-0020 Fax (763) 553-0167 Email: naf@ataxia.org