State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D‑Woodbridge) and state Representative Linda Gentile (D- Ansonia) announced today that, as a result of Connecticut’s recent budget agreement, three Connecticut hospitals will share $3.9 million in state Biomedical Research Trust Fund grants in order to conduct new research into multiple sclerosis, children’s diabetes, bladder cancer and breast cancer.
Griffin Hospital in Derby will receive $1.3 million to fund research activities at its Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center; the Yale School of Medicine will receive $1.3 million for its Children’s Diabetes Research Program; and the University of Connecticut Health Center will receive $1.3 million to fund its Clinical and Translational Breast Program and Bladder Cancer Institute.
“It gives me great pleasure to see state funds put to such good use, funding research that can help thousands of people lead better lives and eliminate so much heartache and pain for the friends and families of loved ones who have to endure these ailments,” Crisco said.
“There is so much great research going on in Connecticut, both in the private sector and in the public sector, that I know these grants are going to make a difference in the speed and the direction that our needed, life-saving medical research will take,” Crisco went on.
“I know that the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at Griffin Hospital is committed to improving the care and well-being of individuals living with MS and will put these funds to good use in the effort to increase understanding of the approaches that are most effective in the prevention and management of Multiple Sclerosis and its symptoms as well as to help those with M.S. live a healthier and more fulfilling life,” Gentile said.
“Research is key to finding new ways to provide quality healthcare,” she went on.
The Griffin Hospital Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center offers a comprehensive program for the evaluation and treatment of multiple sclerosis and related conditions.
“This grant presents a wonderful opportunity for the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center and Griffin Hospital, home of the CDC funded Yale –Griffin Prevention Center, with its considerable and impressive research capability to investigate new dimensions of care for our patients, design care effectiveness studies, and continue patient advocacy for patients suffering from this complex disease,” said Joseph Guarnaccia, MD, Director of the Center.
Dr. Guarnaccia, who founded the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at Griffin Hospital in 2000, is a national leader in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis and a strong advocate for those afflicted by M.S. His Center has the largest panel of multiple sclerosis patients in Connecticut and attracts patients from across Connecticut as well as from surrounding states due to Dr. Guarnaccia’s expertise and holistic approach.
“We are grateful for the opportunity we have had to partner with Dr. Guarnaccia in his effort to advance the care of individuals with MS,” said Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of Griffin Hospital.
“This grant represents a tremendous validation of his work and recognition of Griffin’s research capabilities in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and complementary therapies where a great deal of Multiple Sclerosis research is focused nationally and will enable Dr. Guarnaccia to continue his efforts to improve the care and treatment of MS patients here in Connecticut and beyond,” Charmel added.
The funding for this research comes from Connecticut’s Biomedical Research Trust Fund, which was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2002 to fund biomedical research into illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. $3.9 million of the Trust Fund’s $5.9 million balance is being used to fund research at these three hospitals.
