Heart Cells Foundation

"Stem cell therapy is at an early and exciting
stage of development and I need your help
to bring it to the UK"
Ian Rosenberg, Founder, Heart Cells Foundation

How we began
In 2003 Ian Rosenberg, a heart disease sufferer, was given only two months to live. He was lucky enough to receive stem cell therapy in Germany, which resulted in a dramatic improvement in his symptoms.

Disturbed by the lack of similar treatment in the UK, the 68-year-old Mr Rosenberg set out to raise funds for clinical trials, so that people in this country would not have to go abroad. He created the Heart Cells Foundation, and worked tirelessly until he sadly passed away in August 2006.

Our aim
We aim to raise £6 million to help further research into one of the most important advances in cardiovascular medicine. A key part of this is the creation of the UK's first cardiac stem cell unit, which will treat 600 patients over five years. Once the treatment is established, it will be available to other hospitals so that people throughout the UK can benefit from the therapy.

Our NHS partners
Barts and The London NHS Trust is leading the research and providing the medical expertise. Spread across St Bartholomew's, The London Chest and The Royal London hospitals, it is at the forefront of research into adult stem cell treatment for a variety of diseases. The Trust has, for example, recently created a unit that can process adult stem cells for the treatment of cancer.

Achieving our aim

The five-year program is taking place over two phases:

Phase 1 involves careful scientific and clinical research. We have already secured the use of the Barts and The London NHS Trust unit, which is using stem cells in the treatment of cancer. This is one of a few government-approved centres able to perform stem cell production. This unit is helping the team produce stem cells to learn how they can be used in heart disease treatment and will allow them to treat our first 24 patients.

In Phase 2 a dedicated cardiac stem cell production unit will be created so that the team can perform the research necessary to take the therapy forward. We have the space allocated at the Trust, which will be refurbished for patients and laboratory facilities. Your support will help get this unit up and running so that we can begin treating the UK's first 600 patients.

With the procedures fully established, Phase 3 will involve the roll-out of stem cell therapy across the UK. The hope is that other hospitals will be able to treat heart disease sufferers.

Meet the trustees

Jenifer Rosenberg
Chair

Founder and Managing Director of J&J Fashions. Britain's largest privately owned ladies clothing manufacturer between 1974-1992. Venue Clicquot Business Woman of the year 1986. Member of various governing bodies and involved in many charities.

Adrian Magnus is a Partner at City law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, specialising in competition law and commercial contracts. His clients include leading companies, the commercial arm of a well known charity and public sector organisations. His responsabilities at BLP include chairing the firm's allocations committee, which determines the division of the performance-based element of partner profits. His previous experience includes membership of the Finance Committee of Hertsmere Jewish Primary School.

Dr Athony Marthur

Senior Lecturer and Consultant Cardiologist at Barts and The London NHS Trust. His time is equally divided between research into cardiovascular disease and treating patients. Head of Stem Research Programme.

Sir Bernard Rix
Currently Lord Justice of Appeal. Queen's Counsel since 1981. Appointed High Court Judge in 1993. Member and director of various cultural boards and charities, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr Martin Paisner
Solicitor and Partner with Berwin Leighton Paisner specialising in trusts and estate planning. He is an Honorary Fellow of Queen Mary College, University of London, Honorary Doctor of the University of Glasgow and trustee of various charities, including Weizmann UK and the Jerusalem Foundation.

Prof Martin Rothman
Director of Cardiac Research and Development at Barts and The London NHS Trust.He is internationally renowned, specialising in coronary angioplasty and was co-founder and president of the UK society of specialists undertaking angioplasty.

Myra Waiman
Partner at Vivat Capital

International Corporate Advisory investment group specialising in strategy and fundraising for biotechnology, pharma and medical device groups. Trustee of several charities including Hope Charity (for children with special needs), the Ben Uri Museum of Jewish Art and Weizmann UK.

Stephen James
Music Publisher, Chairman & Managing Director of Dejamus Limited, formely Dick James Music Ltd. The Beatles, Don Black, Tony Hatch and Elton John are a small list of the many songwriters signed to the company over the last forty-six years. Presentely a member of the Music Publishers Association Popular Publisher Committee and co-Chairman of The Heart Cells Foundation Annual Golf Day.

Stephen Sampson
Qualified as a Chartered Accountant with BDO Stoy Hayward in 1987. Subsequently moved to Baker Tilly where he became a partner and headed up the real estate group. In 2003 he moved to Chiltern Plc as head of real estate.