BOSTON, June 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress Chéri
Ballinger has invested in LifeStory Health, Inc. (LSH), a
bio-science start-up developing novel diagnostics and potential
therapeutic targets for early detection and treatment of female
prevalent diseases. Ballinger, who survived a traumatic brain
injury in 2014, earmarked her investment to fund a 2018 research
study for early onset Alzheimer's disease which will be completed
with a nationally recognized research university in Boston, MA.
An advocate for women's health and brain injuries, Ballinger's
personal story aligns with LifeStory Health's mission to advance
women's healthcare and raise awareness of the need for more
sex-specific testing. "It's very important to me to use my second
chance at life to help as many people as I possibly can. For me,
this is personal, and it's my mission," said Ballinger.
For Ballinger, investing in LSH complements her work with the
Women's Brain Project, a non-profit group based in Switzerland. "LifeStory Health is such a great
fit for the Women's Brain Project. As an ambassador for the
organization, I see how essential it is for us to collaborate so
our international advocacy can support more change, advance medical
science, and raise awareness for the specific needs in women's
healthcare," continued Ballinger, "together we are so much
stronger."
Ballinger's support will help expand LSH's research and amplify
awareness of sex specific testing to meet the unmet medical needs
of diseases disproportionately impacting women, including
neurodegenerative diseases and several types of
cancers. "LifeStory Health is on the forefront of
accelerating women's healthcare and Chéri's contribution and
increased involvement highlights the confidence investors are
seeing in our research," said LifeStory Health Founder and CEO
Anna Villarreal.
Scheduled to conclude in Q3 of 2018, LSH's study will provide
much needed insight into how Alzheimer's disease impacts
women. Nearly two-thirds of the 5.4M Americans suffering from Alzheimer's disease
are female. When looking at early onset Alzheimer's, women
represent 75% of the population. The disparity between female
and male is compounded by the fact that brain studies in males
outnumber females by 5 to 1.
"Not only is LifeStory Health changing the clinical testing
paradigm but we are changing how both individuals and organizations
invest in life science companies", said Villarreal. "Accelerating
healthcare through our novel approaches will provide an impact for
over half the population, and to have this 'for women, by women'
investment marks a truly humbling event."
LifeStory Health's early onset Alzheimer's study marks one of three studies LSH will begin in
2018. The others include early stage breast cancer and
pre-diabetes. For more information on clinical studies or
investment opportunities, please contact
andrea@annavillahealth.com.
About LifeStory Health
LifeStory Health, Inc. is
leading a pioneering journey into the previously undiscovered
territory of female biology, early pre-determination and detection
of disease, and potential disease management through effective
diagnostic and subsequent therapeutic targets. Learn more at
www.lifestoryhealth.com.
About Chéri Ballinger
Chéri is a professional actress,
fashion model, and TV host and appeared in numerous films, TV
shows, national and international commercials and print ads.
For nearly ten years, she was the official spokesmodel of
Sun Labs/Giselle Cosmetics, representing them in all global
media and events. Her passion, optimism, and strong work ethic
allowed her to earn a Bachelor of Arts from California State
University while simultaneously working in the US and abroad. In
February of 2014, Chéri was working as a model for a movie poster
at a major Los Angeles studio when
her life changed. She was in the middle of an action shot when
she fell onto the back of her head on concrete from high above a
trampoline. Since her traumatic brain injury on that day, her world
has never been the same. After years of grueling physical and
speech therapy, as well as the grim prospect that she would not be
able to have a full life again, Chéri overcame all the odds against
her. Now an international speaker, she is a strong advocate for
women's health and brain injuries.
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SOURCE LifeStory Health, Inc.