Aldevron Breakthrough Blog
Collaborating for a Brighter Future
November 25, 2024 by Sharon King
Our Ongoing Commitment to Advocacy
Earlier this month, a group of Aldevron team members had the pleasure of cheering on our colleague Nate Russart, R&D Principal Scientist, at the New York City Marathon. Nate's dedication to countless training hours and his participation in the marathon resulted in raising nearly $7,500 for the Emily Whitehead Foundation.
Chasing Nate through the boroughs of New York to cheer him on and witnessing his strength and dedication to a cause greater than himself was incredibly inspiring. As advocates, our role is similar to that of marathon supporters - we are resolute, optimistic, and strive to see patients overcome their hardships and cross the finish line.
Aldevron’s commitment to advocacy has significantly grown this year, and the past few months have reaffirmed our dedication. From patient organization-driven awareness and fundraising events to film screenings and summits uniting healthcare stakeholders, this fall has highlighted the unique roles we all play in advancing advocacy.
As the Manager of Advocacy and Community Engagement at Aldevron, I am continually inspired by our team’s enthusiasm to engage in these efforts and make a difference beyond their daily work in enabling advanced therapies. Though we have made great strides in connecting our work to our vision - a world where every cure is possible - we recognize that much work still lies ahead.
The Importance of Collaboration
Emily Whitehead was the first child to receive a CAR-T therapy, and since then this groundbreaking treatment has moved beyond hematologic cancers to new frontiers including autoimmune diseases and solid tumors. Nearly 400,000 individuals have received CAR-T therapy, a great achievement, but it represents only a fraction of those who could benefit.
Despite the advancements in producing these treatments, their full value will only be realized if we can reach all patients in need. Achieving our mission requires alignment with the communities we aim to serve, providing deeper understanding that will lead to better solutions. Success requires collaborative effort driven by a shared purpose. We must break down silos, ask tough questions, and follow through on providing answers.
The Possibilities for Gene Therapy are Limitless
Though these obstacles exist, the future of gene and cell therapy promises to treat a wider array of conditions and expand the number of patients who can benefit. Over the next five to ten years, we hope to see immunotherapies that can treat solid tumors, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, general pain management, and more. Throughout the development journey, Aldevron will remain committed to creating more impactful and accessible treatments by addressing manufacturing bottlenecks and cost issues, recognizing the crucial role of accessibility.
Advocacy at its best is built on strong relationships that embody trust, strong communication, shared values and respect. At Aldevron, we will continue to build, grow and nurture relationships that can result in better outcomes for patients and their families. We will cheer on our clients’ patient communities and play our part in the race to ensure a world where every cure is possible.
At Aldevron, we will be the advocates. Join us in this world-changing vision!
- Have questions on this topic? Contact Us
- Visit the Emily Whitehead Foundation
- Read Playing Our Part In Powering Breakthroughs – The Heart of Aldevron Advocacy
- Read Advocacy In Action – Running and riding for a cure
- Read Advocacy In Action – Looking for the next step ahead
- Read Advocacy In Action – Stories of Inspiration Following the Believe Ball
- Read Innovating Together – Overcoming Cell Therapy Manufacturing Challenges with Danaher and UPenn
- Have an idea for a topic? Let us know!
Sharon King joined Aldevron in 2019 as the Manager of Advocacy and Community Engagement, where she works to educate, connect, and improve understanding across the biotech stakeholder community. A passionate patient advocate, Sharon has been instrumental in uniting public officials, researchers, biotech industry representatives, and other patient advocates to drive the development of treatments for rare diseases and promote critical public policies.
With over two decades of experience in community service, Sharon co-founded Taylor's Tale, an organization named after her late daughter, dedicated to raising awareness and funding for CLN1 disease (Batten disease) research, and advocating for the needs of rare disease patients. Since 2006, she has worked with dedicated volunteers to transform Taylor's Tale into a powerful grassroots movement against rare diseases. Sharon is also a state-appointed member of the North Carolina Advisory Council on Rare Diseases, the first of its kind in the nation, established by a law named in honor of her daughter. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Emily Whitehead Foundation and as a Patient Ambassador for the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.
Sharon holds a bachelor’s degree from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.