Dear Friends,
Today, I would like to show my gratitude to you. I have received hundreds of emails in the past few days regarding our recent advances in regenerative gene therapy for Wolfram Syndrome that could lead to breakthrough therapy not only for Wolfram Syndrome but also for retinal degeneration, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. All the emails are filled with your appreciation for our research, positive words and remarks, hope for the future, kindness, and encouragement. Every single email was positive. You are the driving force for my quest to the cure for Wolfram Syndrome, retinal degeneration, and diabetes.
I need to spend day after day obsessively studying the seemingly smallest of subjects that would contribute to the advanced therapeutics that I could later offer to our patients. I have wonderful colleagues at the medical center and all over the world who generously offer help. Still, I experience those winters of heartbreak, where I feel exhausted, alone, and helpless. So I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. Many of you are suffering from serious medical conditions, but you are so kind, generous, and thoughtful. You are my hero and my driving force.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions (urano@wustl.edu). I would like to know what you think and how you feel. Thank you again for your continued support and encouragement. We will work as one team and change history together.
“That’s one small step for us today, leading to one giant leap toward a cure for Wolfram Syndrome.”
Sincerely,
Fumi Urano
Sunday, April 26, 2020