"Hope"

Today when you have a baby you are asked if you want to collect and save the stem cells from your baby’s umbilical cord upon delivery.  This is done because the hope is, as more research develops, stem cells can potentially save someone in your family’s life.  

 

We owe this to Dr. Ann Tsukamoto, her husband Professor Ir Weissman, and their colleagues, who were the first scientists to identify and isolate blood-forming stem cells.  Ann and her team’s discovery for stem cell isolation was awarded patent No. 5,061,620 in 1991. Their research discovered that a blood stem cell (or bone marrow) transplant can replace a damaged immune system in a person with blood cancer. This discovery gave people with blood cancer another chance at life, and has since saved hundreds of thousands of lives. 

 

Ann Tsukamoto has since received twelve related patents for her research in understanding the circulatory systems of cancer patients, slowly inching the field closer to a cure. 

 

In the background of this painting is Ann's patent No. 5,061,620. This painting is in memory and honor of those who have battled blood cancer, and is offered as a message of hope.

 

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