Posted: 23 Mar 2013 02:48 PM PDT
Didi
Salvatierra from BelAir, Maryland, recently hand delivered a quilt made
by AAQI Board Member Kathy Kennedy-Dennis to Dr. Soane and his
colleagues. The researchers, from Johns Hopkins, were the recipient of
the AAQI’s 14th research grant.
Xinchen Teng, Ph.D, Lucian Soane, M.D., Cierra Sing, Ph.D. student, Feria Ladha, Ph.D. student, Heather Lamb, Ph.D., Pavlik, Philip , Ph.D. student, Polan Santos, M.D., Huska, Jason, Ph.D. student, and Kyle Metz, Ph.D. student.
Didi shares her experience below:
“My husband (the official photographer) and I met Dr.Lucian Soane in
the lobby of the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins
University. He was very welcoming and ushered us to the 5th floor where
we met Dr. J. Marie Hardwick, Professor in the Department of
Microbiology and Immunology. We were introduced and then proceeded to a
conference room where a group of graduate student researchers had
gathered. We were served tea and cookies (a nice touch, I thought).
After introductions and pleasantries, I told them about the AAQI. They were quite amazed at the scope of the project and the success in fundraising in seven short years.
I was left with a distinct impression that they were touched by the “personal” nature of this disease for so many people across the country. It really seemed to validate the work they are doing.
The quilt was passed around the table so everyone could have a closer look. I also took in a Priority mailing envelope and 6 small quilts of the type that have been donated and purchased to further the AAQI mission. Needless to say, these scientists were very impressed! I emphasized the volunteer nature of the organization, and its scope of being nationwide.
I also shared the fact that previous grants have been given to other universities around the country. Dr. Hardwick found that especially interesting. At the end, we took photos.
There was much discussion about where the quilt will hang in the department and that it should be encased in something that will allow both sides of it to be seen. Dr. Soane then took us one floor below where we had a glimpse through side windows into the labs where the research is conducted (using lab mice).
Dr. Soane did his university studies in his native Romania before
coming to John Hopkins in 2009. He is a research physician who
occasionally teaches, but the research is his passion. This was very
evident as he shared with us details of cell death and how it applies to
neurological diseases, such as Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and other forms
of dementia.
In total we were there almost two hours. A very worthwhile visit to such an outstanding school. I was very honored to be AAQI’s ambassador to meet the recipients of one of our grants.”
Xinchen Teng, Ph.D, Lucian Soane, M.D., Cierra Sing, Ph.D. student, Feria Ladha, Ph.D. student, Heather Lamb, Ph.D., Pavlik, Philip , Ph.D. student, Polan Santos, M.D., Huska, Jason, Ph.D. student, and Kyle Metz, Ph.D. student.
Didi shares her experience below:
After introductions and pleasantries, I told them about the AAQI. They were quite amazed at the scope of the project and the success in fundraising in seven short years.
I was left with a distinct impression that they were touched by the “personal” nature of this disease for so many people across the country. It really seemed to validate the work they are doing.
The quilt was passed around the table so everyone could have a closer look. I also took in a Priority mailing envelope and 6 small quilts of the type that have been donated and purchased to further the AAQI mission. Needless to say, these scientists were very impressed! I emphasized the volunteer nature of the organization, and its scope of being nationwide.
I also shared the fact that previous grants have been given to other universities around the country. Dr. Hardwick found that especially interesting. At the end, we took photos.
There was much discussion about where the quilt will hang in the department and that it should be encased in something that will allow both sides of it to be seen. Dr. Soane then took us one floor below where we had a glimpse through side windows into the labs where the research is conducted (using lab mice).
In total we were there almost two hours. A very worthwhile visit to such an outstanding school. I was very honored to be AAQI’s ambassador to meet the recipients of one of our grants.”
Michele Bilyeu blogs With Heart and Hands as she shares a quilting journey through her life in Salem, Oregon and Douglas, Alaska and all of her AAQI Quilting. Sharing thousands of links to Free Quilt and Quilt Block Patterns and encouraging others to join in the Liberated Quilting Challenge and make or donate small art quilts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) Help us change the world, one little quilt at a time!
