Muhammad Ali’s Other Fight

Published October 17, 2007, issue of October 19, 2007.
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World champion boxer Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1982, and now his daughter, Rasheda Ali, has joined forces with an Israeli biotech firm that specializes in adult stem-cell research to find cures for neurodegenerative diseases.

The boxer\'s daughter signed on as a spokesperson for an Israeli stem-cell research firm

The younger Ali signed on as official spokeswoman and advisory board member for BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, which recently announced advancements in its search for a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

An outspoken advocate in raising awareness and encouraging dialogue about the neurological disorder, she is the author of the 2005 children’s book “I’ll Hold Your Hand So You Won’t Fall,” published by Merit Publishing International. The book provides families with guidance in discussing and understanding the disease.


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Comments
Marc Brukhes Thu. Oct 18, 2007

Muhammad Ali is a great hero who apparently has raised his daughter Rasheda very well; I'm rooting for him to win this fight as I've rooted for him when I saw him boxing in the 70s. If a Jewish biomedical firm can help him to victory, so much the better: somewhere, somehow, Howard Cosell is smiling....

Marc Brukhes Thu. Oct 25, 2007

Sarah: it's just you. Muhammad Ali is not our enemy; he has never said an anti-Jewish or anti-Israel comment in his life. He and Howard Cosell regularly affirmed that each owed his career to the other. If Muhammad Ali is an anti-Semite, then the caliphs who gave Maimonides their patronage were also anti-Semites. This isn't, for once, about Muslims vs Jews. It's about people helping people--which even you will admit is a Jewish value and a moral obligation.

Sarah Mon. Oct 22, 2007

Is it just me or does anyone else see the iorny in this? Mr. Ali converted to a religion that would like nothing better than to see Israel gone, but maybe wait until after they find a cure for his diease? Still after it's all said and done, what other religion dictates that we lend a helping hand, even to our enemy.

Steven Israel Mon. Oct 29, 2007

Sarah, It's not just you. The irony is evident to anyone with half a brain. You never said Ali was anti-Semitic. You only bring out the fact that organized Islam is anti-Israel, not to mention anti-women, anti-Christian, and anti-freedom. He originally converted to the Nation of Islam and then to Sunni Islam, which is the type practiced in that bastion of freedom and tolerance, Saudi Arabia. He is probably the greatest boxer of all time but certainly no hero. It is Islamic fascism that threatens not only Israel but our way of life in the US. If only such prominent Muslims like Ali would speak out against the evil perpetuated in the name of their religion. If you look at what went on at college campuses last week during Islamo-fascist Awareness Week, it's sad that the only thing that seems to make liberals mad enough to fight is the idea that someone might be criticizing radical Islam. Apparently liberals support Islamo-fascism.

anna Sun. Oct 28, 2007

very interesting article continued success with the research

melissa Thu. Nov 1, 2007

Muhammad Ali is the greatest fighter there will ever be. Even through he left the world as a fighter he will in memory of legend.

Felicia Alvarado Thu. Nov 1, 2007

Muhammad Ali is the greatest fighter there will ever be. He left this world as a fighter but he will always be remembered as legend who never gave up!


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