FUND to offer grants to support research & development and treatment of people suffering from Spinocerebellar Ataxia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder
IndiaCSR News Network
NEW DELHI: To contribute toward the betterment of society, Peesh Chopra, Managing Director of the US-based Peesh Venture Capital (PVC) that INVESTS in disruptive technologies announced on Friday the launch of Peesh Foundation with Rs 60 Crore fund to support research and development to fight incurable disorders like Spinocerebellar Ataxia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) or also known as Spinocerebellar Atrophy or Spinocerebellar degeneration, is a progressive, degenerative, genetic disease with multiple types, each of which could be considered a disease in its own right.
An estimated 500,000 people in India are diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia. SCA’s are the largest group of this hereditary, progressive, degenerative and often fatal neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no known effective treatment or cure. Patients suffering from Spinocerebellar Ataxia are from across age groups.
The disease is caused by either a recessive or dominant gene and often patients are unaware of the ataxia gene in their bodies until they have children who begin to show signs of having the disorder. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (also known as BDD, body dysmorphia, dysmorphic syndrome, or dysmorphophobia), is a disorder that involves belief that one’s own appearance is unusually defective and is worthy of being hidden or fixed. This belief manifests in thoughts that many times are pervasive and intrusive.
“From children to busy mothers, Spinocereballar Ataxia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder can and does affect people of all ages, from all walks of life. We are committed to helping every person living with ataxia and body dysmorphic disorder to take control of their disease” says Sunita Chopra, Executive Director at Peesh Foundation. “Through our research grants and treatment grants, we not only help fund research to find better treatment options and an eventual cure for this disease, but we also show communities the incredible diversity of people affected by Spinocerebellar ataxia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder”
Peesh Foundation has been established to find solutions and treatments for such incurable disorders and will award seed grants of up to Rs 10 Lakhs for Spinocerebellar Ataxia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder -related research projects. Grants of up to Rs 20 Lakhs will be considered for early or pilot phases of studies and ongoing investigations.
The primary criteria to apply for the grants is that the researchers must have attained an M.D. or Ph.D. degree and have an appointment as a junior faculty member, senior post-doc, or clinical fellow. In addition to this, the clinicians must have finished their residency no more than five years prior to applying, while Ph.Ds must be no more than five years from completion of their post-doc training. Also, the LOIs must be received no later than August 3, 2015. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit full applications by September 1, 2015.
The applications for availing the research grants can be submitted to grants@peeshfoundation.org.
Peesh Foundation will also award treatment grants of up to Rs 10 Lakhs for Spinocerebellar Ataxia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder -related treatment. For both Spinocerebellar Ataxia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder, patients must have a professional diagnosis from a reputed healthcare institution. Applications for treatment grants can be submitted to grants@peeshfoundation.org.
Peesh Foundation supports the cure of degenerative disorders including Spinocerebellar Ataxia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Peesh Foundation believes that through the FUNDING of research projects and individual support, many lives can be greatly improved. Peesh Foundation offers grants for early stages or pilot phases of studies and ongoing investigations related to its causes. Peesh Foundation also supports the treatment of individuals suffering from the daily torments of these disorders.
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