We would like to inform you about details of a new, tax efficient way for UK taxpayers to donate to Methuselah Foundation. By using the services of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), it is now possible to have the UK Government provide tax relief at 20% on all donations made to the Methuselah Foundation by UK taxpayers.

This does require an initial, and fairly painless, creation of an account with CAF. You can find out more at the aging-management site, where a walk-through of the steps is provided.

Posted by Reason at 01:25 PM | Permalink

I was born in 1952.

I came into this world at a time where every year a horrible outbreak of polio was expected. Shortly after I was able to understand the world around me I sensed that my Mother was afraid for me to go swimming because I might catch polio. I had friends who caught it and I remember visiting them in the hospital where they were imprisoned in their iron lung machines - terrifyingly claustrophobic tubes that mechanically operated their lungs. But, I didn't contract polio - why? Because of the foresight of many dedicated souls whose efforts over the 30's, 40's and 50's to find a cure resulted in the polio vaccine. Imagine - freedom from worry about polio - it's mostly gone from my current consciousness - except when I think that I want to create a world where the diseases of aging go the way of polio...to become nothing but a dim memory.

In the early 60's I lived in Orlando Florida before Disney World. This was a world that was resolutely certain there would be a nuclear holocaust in the immediate future. I remember the Cuban Missile crisis and feeling the shared terror that we would all be blown to incandescent dust at any second. I remember hiding under my desk at school, and my dad trying to figure out how to build a bomb shelter. Happily, cooler heads have prevailed (so far) and now, months can go by and I don't think about nuclear weapons. This doesn't mean they're gone - I just don't worry about them moment by moment as I used to.

In the mid-late 60's everyone was horrified that the United States was in a revolution as race riots burned down city after city, where mobs polarized by race were at each others' throats figuratively and literally, brother killing brother. I remember living in Baltimore during its race conflagration when a terrible riot started flowing toward our house like a lava flow that immolated all things in its path. The riot burned itself out just 5 miles from where we lived...and then the laws changed and now many of my friends are married interracially without worry, something that could have gotten them killed just 30 years ago.

The late 60's and early 70's was the era of the Vietnam War. My Brother fled to Canada to escape the draft. I didn't see him again for 20 years. By the time I was old enough to be exposed to the draft, a lottery had been established and I got a "lucky number". Then the war was over. Now we trade with Vietnam.

In the 70's I got married to my wonderful wife two days after Nixon resigned. In those days, people were worried about hyperinflation, overpopulation, environmental suicide, global famine, and the collapse of the economy along with a fast approaching ice age. None of it happen.

So it went and so it goes - each decade presenting both personal and cultural crises that were nigh unto certain to destroy everything...and they *could* *have* *happened*. But didn't.

So, back to the title of this piece. "I am two years old". How so? Simple - my father died when he was 55. I am 57, two years older than my father. His father died when he was 53. His father died when he was 50. I have now lived two years longer than any of the last three generations of men in my family. I've been able to see my son marry, I've seen my daughter learning nursing in college, I've made many many new friends and seen and had a hand in driving new innovations that bring potential for reduced suffering and opportunities to pursue joy, both for myself and others - not least of which being the potentials represented by My Bridge 4 Life, and the Methuselah Foundation.

Yes, this year there is legitimate cause for worry. Hyperinflation, hyperdeflation, asteriod hit, global warming, H1N1, cancer, alzheimers, heart attack, traffic accident, and on and on. But I've learned that worry is life threatening choice. Now that I'm two years old again, I think it's time I recognized that life is dizzyingly wonderful - unless you make the choice to turn it into a life sentence of worry and anxiety. As recent research confirms the ancient wisdom, we now know that worry itself can kill...and on the way to killing, it turns life into self-made jail without bars.

So, I am dedicating myself to using these dividend years to consciously and deliberately EXPERIENCE the good times, and to choose to expect that things are going to turn out better than ok. Why? Because - so far - the vast majority of the things that I have worried about have not happened and I refuse to waste any more time with needless worry. Oh sure, one day something will probably get me, but until then, I'm going to pursue joy and actively shove worry out of my life and replace it with optimism.

Posted by Dave Gobel at 03:36 PM | Permalink

Technology blog Engadget recently looked at the work of Organovo:

Say hello to "the world's first production model 3D bio-printer." What you're looking at is a machine capable of arranging human cells and artificial scaffolds into complex three-dimensional structures, which result in such wonderful things as replacement liver and kidney tissue, or such simple niceties as artificially grown teeth.

As you'll recall, funding for Organovo's work in building replacement organs from a patient's own cells is one of the long-term MLife Sciences strategies undertaken by Methuselah Foundation. Progress in the commercial development of this field will bring great benefits to human health and longevity.

Posted by Reason at 02:29 PM | Permalink

As the decade draws to a close, I'm looking ahead to the next one. And the next. I am optimistic that my chance of living a long, healthy life get better every day. I see the possibility of adding happy, healthy, productive years to my life and yours. No cancer, no Alzheimer's and a heart that keeps on beating. Wouldn't we all want an extra decade to spend with your family, to accomplish our goals and to enjoy life.

Methuselah Foundation is working on it! We have 3 initiatives underway right now as we wrap up the decade and begin a new one.

Understanding Aging So We Can Extend Healthy Life

In 2009 we awarded a special Mprize for a study that showed unequivocally that mice lived longer when they took the drug rapamycin.

We believe in the power of prizes. We created the Mprize to encourage, incentivize and reward world-class scientists to solve the problem of aging. The prize also attracts new funding, brains, approaches and publicity to the mission of extending healthy life.

What we are seeking - and expect to find - is not just a longer life for you, but a long, healthy, vibrant and productive life. 80, 90, 100 and even more healthy years. Cancer and Alzheimer's free. It's a tall order but one we are fully committed to.

Extensive studies are being conducted right now in private labs and universities to understand what happens to our bodies as we age and to find ways to circumvent or prevent the damage. Rapamycin is one approach; the drug delayed the deaths of the longest-lived male mice by 101 days and females by 151 days. That is similar to 13 human years! And the drug was not given to the mice until they were 600 days old - equal to 60 human years!

The Mprize fund has grown from donations large and small. While some have been able to contribution tens of thousands, others give small amounts. Together they have added up to $3.8 million. Let's continue to grow this sum until we find the solution.

Finding a Better System for Organ Replacement

The black market for human organs made headlines in 2009. What didn't make the daily news were the men, women and children who died each day because they did not get an organ or because the transplant they had failed. Failed to give them a long, healthy life.

We can't stand by and let people die, or live in poor health, when an alternative is possible. That's why Methuselah Foundation invested in Organovo this year. We believe that Dr. Gabor Forgacs (Biological Physics, University of Missouri) and the team at Organovo are creating a better way to replace aging or diseased organs.

When Thomas Klauset Aurdal, a 23 year old student in Norway, heard we were supporting the work of Organovo, he sent $1000. According to Thomas, who had a heart transplant when he was only 16 years old:

"Future generations of transplantation patients will have a better chance of getting the organs and they will have a better quality of life and life expectancy than I have."

We call our long term strategy MLife Sciences. Simply stated, it is where your donations go to be sure there is money available to turn promising research into practical solutions. Life saving solutions. Solutions that lead to the possibility of you - of Thomas - of your family, living a long, healthy, vibrant and productive life.

Thomas wanted to invest in proven research but knew his donation was too small to invest directly in a regenerative medicine company. But making a donation to Methuselah Foundation allows him, and you, to give whatever amount you choose. No donation is too small. If each of us makes a contribution, together we can become major contributors to a new, better, promising way to extend the lives of everyone suffering from organ failure.

Building a Support System for the Seriously Ill

Kate's husband died last year after a long struggle with cancer. Her mom has leukemia and, this year, her brother was diagnosed with a life threatening cancer. Even though Kate Esposito is a medical professional, she struggles to find the best resources for her family. That's why she liked our approach to helping people cope:

"Learning about My Bridge 4 Life was truly an "aha" moment. Having an online wellness network that allows access to information, creation of one's own support team from all different areas of the globe, and building a wellness plan during a major health crisis is a brilliant concept."

My Bridge 4 Life was created so we could provide an immediate resource for anyone who has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. It is equally valuable to family, friends and caregivers of anyone with cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and any number of other diseases that take away years and vitality.

I am pleased that I had this opportunity to share with you the important work that Methuselah Foundation is going right now. Together we can make a real difference. We can make a difference for Thomas, Kate, for you and your children. Give generously. End the decade with a promise for the future. It's hard to imagine a better way to celebrate the season and end the year.

Dave Gobel
Founder and CEO, Methuselah Foundation

PS Remember time is running out for a 2009 tax deduction. Donate now. Methuselah Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, IRS Tax ID Number: 54-2040344. It is quick and easy to donate. If you prefer, you can mail, call or fax:

PO Box 1143, Lorton, VA, 22199-1143
Our phone number is 571.339.9123 or Fax 703.440.5141

Posted by Reason at 12:48 PM | Permalink

Dear Long Life Friend:

Sadly, many of us know someone who is battling a life threatening illness. Or maybe a friend or relative is providing care for someone with cancer or Alzheimer's or just overwhelmed by the negative effects of aging or poor health.

Methuselah Foundation is dedicated to extending healthy human life and that includes a right here, right now solution - My Bridge 4 Life.

My Bridge 4 Life is a resource for anyone who has been diagnosed with a chronic or life threatening illness. It is equally valuable to family, friends and caregivers of anyone with cancer, Alzheimer's, organ failure, diabetes and any number of other diseases that take away years and vitality. Simply stated, it puts a wellness plan in the hands of anyone on earth diagnosed with a life threatening challenge.

We have created a really special gift - a personalized Bridge Plan. This is an online and offline tool to be used and shared by the family or community surrounding a loved one who is ill or aged. The gift of a Bridge Plan is an active, meaningful and useful way of showing you care. The Bridge Plan is an inspirational program and support tool that takes the overwhelming nature of any health crisis; divides it into 4 easy to manage phases; sets goals for each phase with the community; and builds a wellness plan for life in the process.

Here's what Kate Esposito told us: "Learning about My Bridge 4 Life was truly an "aha" moment. Having an online wellness network that allows us to access information and create a support team for my brother, with family members and friends who live in different areas of the country and the world, and building a wellness plan during his battle with cancer is a brilliant concept."

My Bridge 4 Life is the right-now strategy of Methuselah Foundation and part of our extending healthy human life mission. A Bridge Plan will be treasured gift for your loved one and a gift in support of the important work of the Foundation.

Dave Gobel
Founder and CEO, Methuselah Foundation

PS Remember your gift of a Bridge Plan is tax-deductible and a very special way to show your support for a friend or family member. For as little as $25 you can say, in a truly personal and caring way, "your life and health are important to me."

Posted by Reason at 09:23 PM | Permalink

I want to share with you the most important word I've added to my vocabulary in 2009. Remember this word:

R A P A M Y C I N

Rapa what? Rapamycin. It may not mean much to you now but there's a chance it will add 12 or more years to your life - an extra 12 healthy, productive years. Time you could use to accomplish your goals, fulfill your dreams and share your wisdom. Maybe you'll write a book, travel the world, spend time you're your grandchildren... even your great grandchildren.

In 2009 Methuselah Foundation awarded the first ever Lifespan Achievement Award to Dr. Z. Dave Sharp, University of Texas. We felt compelled to make this award when the amazing results of a study on rejuvenation of mice, carried out by the Intervention Testing Program of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), was published. This study showed unequivocally that mice lived longer when they took rapamycin, an immunosuppressant drug generally taken by recipients of donor organs to avoid rejection.

We believe in the power of prizes. History has shown that significant prizes produce significant results. We created the Mprize to encourage, incentivize and reward world-class scientists to solve the problem of aging. At the same time the prize attracts new funding, brains, approaches and publicity to the mission of extending healthy life.

Extensive studies are being conducted right now in private labs and universities to understand what happens to our bodies as we age and to find ways to circumvent or prevent the damage. The Mprize fund has grown from donations large and small. While some have been able to contribution tens of thousands, others send small amounts. Together they have added up to $3.8 million. Let's continue to grow this sum until we find the solution.

What we are seeking - and expect to find - is not just a longer life for you, but a long, healthy, vibrant and productive life. 80, 90, 100 and even more healthy years. Cancer and Alzheimer's free. It's a tall order but one we are fully committed to. The 2000 mice that were tested in the NIA labs lived longer. The results were astounding. Rapamycin delayed the deaths of the longest-lived male mice by 101 days and the longest-lived female mice by 151 days. That is similar to 13 human years! Or, when you take into account the average remaining lifespan when the treatment began, it is an increase of 38% in female mice and 28% in males. And this drug was not given to the mice until they were 600 days old - the equivalent of 60 human years!

Of course, rapamycin has not yet been tested on humans but these results give us hope and promise.

At this time of year many of us make tax deductible contributions to nonprofit organizations. Please accept my personal assurance that your contribution will be put to good use. Consider making a regular monthly pledge of $50 or more but, remember, every gift is important, no matter what the amount.

http://www.methuselahfoundation.org/donate

Together we can make a real difference. We can help to understand and solve the damage of aging for you, your parents, friends and children and grandchildren. Give generously. Give the gift of life. It's hard to imagine a better way to celebrate the season and end the year.

Dave Gobel
Founder and CEO, Methuselah Foundation

PS ACT NOW: make a donation of $100 or more and we'll send you a Methuselah t-shirt. In fact, we'll send you one for every $100 you contribute before December 31.

PPS Your contribution will provide an incentive for researchers to continue the promising work done with rapamycin, resveratrol, calorie restriction, blood pressure and other paths to extending healthy human life. And remember that word: RAPAMYCIN.

Posted by Reason at 09:19 PM | Permalink

The Mprize for longevity science was mentioned in the press a few times in recent days. Here are a couple of the articles.

Cash, the new mother of scientific invention

"The idea that was capturing me," Dave Gobel, the Mprize’s founder, told me, "is that nothing seems to have been cured since polio ... I began to ask what was the reason for that."

Mice are genetically similar to humans and, if not tampered with, they don’t live long. Bartke got his up to 1,819 days - your average mouse would be lucky to make it to 750 days - by knocking out its growth hormone receptor gene. Don’t try this at home just yet.

The Mprize agenda [is] highly ideological. It is based on a belief that it is not only possible but also good to work to extend human life, to make us, ultimately, medically immortal. This is not a goal that either governments or companies could explicitly embrace - too weird, too risky, too controversial - but a prize can make it work.

National academic journal honors San Antonio aging research:

In October, Sharp also accepted the prestigious Mprize Lifespan Achievement Award in New York City from the Methuselah Foundation for his research finding. The foundation is named for the biblical figure who lived to be 969 years.

"Aging research has finally come of age," says Arlan G. Richardson, director of the Barshop Institute. "Recognition as one of the top scientific discoveries in 2009 by Science magazine is a major honor for our institution, for Randy and Dave, and for the field of aging. To my knowledge, this is the first aging-related discovery to be recognized as one of the top scientific discoveries by the research community."

Posted by Reason at 11:27 PM | Permalink