Opal Lab - Support Our Work

Why Philanthropy Matters: Fueling Progress for Ataxia Research and Care

Ataxia is a relentless group of neurodegenerative disorders that gradually impair coordination, balance, speech, and mobility. Though these diseases profoundly affect patients and families, they remain underfunded and often overlooked by traditional grant mechanisms. Our mission is to change that reality.

Private donations play a vital role in sustaining our efforts to alleviate the pain caused by ataxia. If you would like to contribute to the Opal Lab, please click the Donate button below. Thank you so much for your support!

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Where your donation will go:

We are a multidisciplinary team of physicians, scientists, and trainees working together to understand the causes of ataxia and to develop therapies that will make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Philanthropic support plays a vital role in accelerating our progress. It enables us to take bold steps that traditional funding sources often cannot support. This includes:

Preclinical testing in animal models to evaluate potential therapies before they reach patients

Access to advanced imaging and microscopy, which is critical for tracking disease progression and therapeutic response at the cellular level

Essential laboratory supplies and small-scale equipment that allow our experiments to move forward without delay

Pilot studies and high-risk, high-reward projects that lay the groundwork for major discoveries

Development of biomarkers and clinical tools that are crucial for designing and launching clinical trials

Expanded access to care, including expert consultations, genetic testing, and counseling

Training the next generation of researchers and clinician-scientists dedicated to neurodegenerative disease

With your support, we can continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in ataxia research. Every donation—large or small—helps sustain the momentum needed to bring hope, and ultimately treatments, to individuals and families living with these devastating disorders.

Philanthropy is not just a gift—it’s an investment in a future without ataxia.

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