Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

ICORD (the International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries) is a diverse group of scientists and clinicians working to accelerate the search for cures for spinal cord injury (SCI). ICORD is housed in the new Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, a beautiful building in Vancouver that was designed to be one of the most accessible buildings in the world for people with physical disabilities. We propose to host two Cafe Scientifique events at the Blusson Centre in 2011-2012. The first (October 2011) will be a general discussion of problems in translation: why do we hear about breakthroughs in SCI research in the media, but see no development in terms of a cure? The second (February 2012) will be a more focused discussion of the relevance of stem cell therapies as a treatment for SCI, a topic that continues to garner enormous media attention, and to create confusion in the community. The Cafe events will be cocktail-party style, featuring beverages, catered food, and music.Our expert speaker panel features clinicians and scientists working at ICORD; trainee volunteers will also help to make the events a success. ICORD will provide security, audiovisual support, digital photography and assistance with design of posters and other advertising materials. The events will be widely-advertised, using CIHR poster templates and ICORD communication platforms, including those of our community partners (including the Rick Hansen Foundation and the British Columbia Paraplegic Association). Participants will be encouraged to complete the CIHR Cafe Scientifique survey by being entered in a contest for a door prize. A final report and event summary (including photos) will be submitted to CIHR and displayed on the websites of ICORD and our partners. This CIHR-supported initiative will bring the community into the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, to engage with some of the most prestigious SCI researchers in the world.