December 1, 2008

Print this page

The polio vaccine. Pacemakers. Radiation therapy for cancer. Chances are, you or someone you know has been touched profoundly by medical research.

Billy Kraser, 9, is one of the lucky ones. He had  xperimental nerve re-wiring surgery at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak that changed his life. And his family didn't have to pay a dime.

He and a handful of patients like him received the treatment because of Beaumont's Ministrelli Program for Urology Research and Education.

MPURE, funded by local philanthropists J. Peter and Florine Ministrelli, provides research, education and training to promote the advancement of urologic care. It enables Beaumont to purchase equipment, expand education and research and bring innovative treatments, like nerve re-wiring, to patients.

The MPURE program supports community awareness initiatives about urological disease prevention and treatment. The Ministrellis' generosity created the Beaumont Women's Initiative for Sexual Health program and developed a research program currently focused on prostatectomy, interstitial cystitis and incontinence.

Today, 75 more children wait for the same treatment Billy received. If you or a member of your family would like to provide funding for this research program, or any number of other programs, visit the Beaumont Foundation online or call 248-551-5330.