Engles Pledge $1.5 Million to Create New Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Fund

SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (TS Alliance) announced the creation of the Engles Collaborative Research Fund, following a pledge of $1.5 million by Gregg and Molly Engles of Colorado.  Their 4-year-old daughter, Lucy, has tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a rare genetic disease that causes tumors to form in vital organs and is the leading genetic cause of both epilepsy and autism. 

"We are deeply grateful to Gregg and Molly Engles for this transformational gift, providing crucial resources to accelerate TS Alliance collaborative research that will dramatically increase our understanding of TSC," said Kari Luther Rosbeck, President & CEO of the TS Alliance. "Their extraordinary commitment, inspired by their daughter Lucy, will no doubt help improve the lives of everyone affected by this rare disease."

The Engles Collaborative Research Fund will double the rate of growth of the TS Alliance's TSC Preclinical Consortium and its Biosample Repository, which are two cornerstones of the organization's Unlock the Cure – Accelerate, Collaborate, Target (ACT) Now fundraising campaign and research strategy. The TSC Preclinical Consortium is tasked with prioritizing drug compounds for clinical trials and standardizing models and methods of testing, which enables researchers to compare candidate treatments in the best possible way to make decisions about which treatments to move forward rapidly.  The TSC Biosample Repository is a transformational project, leading the way to understanding the person-to-person variability of TSC and ultimately to personalized treatments for those affected.  The repository houses biosamples such as blood, DNA and tissues from people with TSC.

"While our daughter is mildly affected by TSC, we want to fully support all efforts to identify major breakthroughs in potential new treatments and gain a better understanding of the differences in TSC person to person," said Gregg Engles. "We believe our gift will positively impact TSC research and hopefully encourage others to invest in the TS Alliance as well."

Through their $1.5 million gift, the Engles now join the TS Alliance's President's Council.  The President's Council is comprised of members of families impacted by TSC committed to driving research forward through significant annual contributions to the Unlock the Cure ACT Now campaign.

The TS Alliance is the only US-based national organization dedicated to finding a cure for tuberous sclerosis complex, while improving the lives of those affected. Founded in 1974, it works to improve quality of life for individuals and families affected by TSC by stimulating and sponsoring research; creating programs, support services and resource information; and developing and implementing public and professional education programs designed to heighten awareness of TSC. For more information, visit www.tsalliance.org.

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Jaye Isham
301-562-9890
[email protected]

SOURCE Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance

Related Links

http://www.tsalliance.org