Many people around the world were saddened about the recent death of Nancy Reagan, former first lady of the United States and wife to Ronald Reagan. Nancy had a very active public life and supported many causes over the years. However, many people don’t know that she was a keen supporter of scientific endeavour and stem cell research.

Even though there was opposition from many in the Republican Party, Nancy Reagan pushed for stem cell research and helped to establish the Alzheimer’s research institute. She also talked about breast cancer back in the 1980s, when it was rarely mentioned as the public health crisis we know it is today.

Part of the reason Nancy was so focused on Alzheimer’s disease is that Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with the disease in 1994. Ronald battled the disease until passing away in 2004. 

Nancy Reagan helped raise millions of dollars in research funding for both Alzheimer’s disease and stem cell research over the years. Her voice was also useful in the political arena where opposition to stem cell research continues to this day.

In 2004, Nancy famously told an audience: “Science has presented us with a hope called stem-cell research, which may provide our scientists with many answers that have for so long been beyond our grasp. I don’t see how we can turn our backs on this. There are so many diseases that can be cured or at least helped. We’ve lost so much time already. I can’t bear to lose any more.”

According to Robert Klein, a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, Nancy Reagan was: “a true champion of stem-cell research.”

During her time supporting stem cell research, she became very aware of the technologies involved. A well-known stem cell expert named Hans Keirstead worked with Nancy to ensure she understood the latest stem cell research. She was always on top of the latest findings and loved to talk about science.

Source: A True Champion of Alzheimer’s Disease and Stem Cell Research

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