CNS Foundation sponsored its first scientific workshop
in 2002 with goal of developing a network of leading scientists to focus on
finding treatments and cures for the more than 14 million children with brain
disorders.

We invited a representative group of parents and
their children to share their stories and ask questions directly to pediatric neurologists
and representatives of the National Institute of Health—the government agency
that funds scientific research. Most of the scientists had never before
participated in a working session with treating clinical neurologists, let
alone parents. 

After a couple of parents described their emotionally
taxing journey to find diagnoses, treatments and cures for their children, one
scientist, struggling to find the right words, apologized, saying, “We have let you down.”  

That day, our parent community helped put a real
face on the need and the critical importance of expediting the scientific
research. After the parents left the room, the scientists
brainstormed and reached consensus on a number of ways they could work together
to push the science forward.

With the dramatic success of its first
workshop, CNS Foundation made a commitment to continue to bring together leading scientists, treating physicians, parents as well as representatives
of government, disease specific organizations, venture capitalists and pharmaceutical
companies to engage in interactive workshops on expediting the discovery of
cures and treatments.