Coming Together for a Cure (CTFAC), a pioneering nonprofit organization in stem cell therapy advocacy, today announced the appointment of Maria Balda as its new Executive Director, effective January 1, 2025.
WICHITA, Kan., Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Coming Together for a Cure Announces Maria Balda as New Executive Director, Accelerating Mission to Advance Stem Cell Therapy to Support Families Affected by Rare Diseases
Coming Together for a Cure (CTFAC), a pioneering nonprofit organization in stem cell therapy advocacy, today announced the appointment of Maria Balda as its new Executive Director, effective January 1, 2025. This strategic appointment comes as CTFAC advances its groundbreaking work in stem cell therapy access and research, marked by two transformative initiatives: supporting groundbreaking research in adult stem cell therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients and the successful premiere of their documentary, "The Sunshine Dreamer."
Balda, who has already demonstrated her impact as Director of Operations and Marketing, will work alongside Founder, Blake Benton, to scale the organization's core pillars: education, advocacy, and partnerships. Her appointment aligns with CTFAC's ambitious growth targets and key focus will be expanding access to emerging treatments, particularly stem cell therapy, which has shown promising results in slowing disease progression and improving quality of life for people living with various rare diseases..
"The story of Ryan Benton and CTFAC represents more than hope---it represents the power of perseverance and innovation in medical science," said Maria Balda. "As Executive Director, I am committed to expanding our reach and impact, ensuring that groundbreaking treatments become accessible to thousands of families affected by rare diseases. Every success story like Ryan's brings us closer to our vision of a world where no family has to travel across borders to find hope."
Balda brings executive leadership experience in driving organizational growth and managing diverse teams. Her track record includes revitalizing revenue streams, implementing strategic initiatives, and serving as a key liaison between executive leadership and stakeholders across various organizations.
About Coming Together for a Cure
Founded in the wake of Ryan Benton's groundbreaking stem cell therapy journey, CTFAC has become a global force in rare disease advocacy and treatment access. The organization achieved a historic milestone in 2014 when Ryan Benton became the first person to receive FDA approval for mesenchymal stem cell therapy for DMD in the United States. This breakthrough opened new possibilities for treating DMD and related diseases, demonstrating the potential of regenerative medicine approaches in addressing previously untreatable conditions. Through educational programming, advocacy campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and direct family support, CTFAC continues to build on Ryan's legacy, working tirelessly to make breakthrough treatments accessible to all who need them.
The organization's global impact includes:
- Connected and supported over 1,000 families worldwide across 57 countries in the treatment journey
- Raising funds and initiating groundwork to advance mesenchymal stem cell research for DMD treatment
- Established partnerships with leading research institutions advancing stem cell research
- Engaged more than 100,000 people through advocacy initiatives
- Built robust support networks spanning six continents
- International premiere of award winning documentary, "The Sunshine Dreamer" to raise awareness and hope on a global scale
With a strategic focus on education, advocacy, and partnerships, CTFAC aims to reach 10,000+ DMD and rare disease families by 2035, while expanding its network to 100+ partners and funding clinical trials globally. The organization continues to connect families with cutting-edge therapy options while advocating for increased research funding and accessibility. The organization's growing global network continues to strengthen its ability to advocate for and implement meaningful change in rare disease treatment accessibility.
Media Contact:
Maria Balda
Executive Director
316-706-2932
[email protected]
SOURCE Coming Together for a Cure
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