About Us
James Stewart
Patient Advocacy Advisory Board
On May 11, 2007, James, from Salinas, CA learned of a life-changing diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
James had covered much ground over an extensive career—he received a B.S. degree in Fermentation Science from UC Davis (1983). After briefly working at various wineries, he decided to work at Genentech to conduct biotechnology experiments and help develop a process to manufacture a lifesaving blood clot dissolving medicine called tPA. Ironically, he now takes another medicine for MS produced by them. While earning an MBA degree from the University of Chicago (1989) he interned at Pfizer in New York City. He worked for Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies managing procurement activities and transfer projects over the course of 17 years. Though over 14 years ago, he most recently was the program manager for Boeing’s 787 landing gear electrical wire harnesses and managed contracts while at Icore International, a division of Zodiac Aerospace.
After learning about his diagnosis with MS James became curious about how stem cells might help his condition. This led him to become involved with Americans for Cures and the efforts to have Proposition 14 approved to fund the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) with an additional $5.5 billion to conduct research using stem cells.
With Americans for Cures as a patient Advocate, James attended two International Society for Stem Cell Research conferences and the World Stem Cell Summit scientific and educational conference to learn about stem cell research and talk with scientists to explain the interests of those living with MS. James has also been involved with the CIRM Bridges program, helping students understand what it is like living with a progressive disease and encouraging their education and scientific research. James also serves on UC Berkeley's stem cell research oversight committee where he is a non-scientist patient advocate representing the public to oversee stem cell research to ensure ethical compliance.
James volunteers with the National MS Society as a District Activist Leader, serving also on the Government Relations Advisory Council. James influences public policy by communicating with elected officials about issues important to those living with disease.
In addition to managing his own health, James also spends his time caring for elderly parents. Living with a progressive disease introduces new challenges that he and his supportive wife Neila actively address. James has become familiar with Parkinson's disease, osteoporosis, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, dementia, and other age-related conditions. These conditions introduce challenges to mobility and self-care leading to needs for assisted living, fiduciary care and even hospice decisions.