The Wendy and Stephen B. Siegel Family Fund for Accelerated Discovery in Immunology and Repair of the Lungs

Just as National Jewish Health is a world leader in the treatment and research of respiratory diseases, we are also at the forefront of medical discoveries that help to unravel the how the immune system protects us from external threats when it is working and can result in disease when it malfunctions. We have made significant contributions to the global medical community, including seminal discoveries such as the IgE molecule responsible for allergic reactions, and the T-cell receptor gene, which is critical to immune response. Through our pioneering research, we have made breakthroughs in the genetics of infectious diseases, severe food and allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis and lung and other cancers that impact the health of millions of children and adults.

Through genomic medicine, we translate our sophisticated knowledge of the immune system to the effects on populations. As a research hospital, we have a unique capacity to gather and analyze large data sets and bridge basic and translational science that is life-changing for patients and advances the scientific endeavor worldwide.

As we advance our knowledge of how the immune system plays a role in triggering lung and related inflammatory diseases, we are simultaneously focusing on how to repair damage to the lungs that can severely decrease quality and duration of life. Our investigations into regenerative medicine will lead to even more breakthroughs and novel, effective therapies to stop and reverse the damaging effects of diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis and many others. In addition, this innovative research is opening the door for treatment to support lung preservation for transplant. With the world’s leading pulmonary physicians and scientists addressing the questions of tissue regeneration and repair, the impact of this science will be immeasurable on almost all the diseases we research and treat.

Support for this fund will help National Jewish Health further catalyze our world-renowned expertise in immunology and accelerate our emerging discoveries in lung repair. No other time in medicine has been as promising to transform discoveries into treatments so patients can once again breathe freely and have restored health.