World Health and Education Foundation

The World Health and Education Foundation (WHEF) "was established in 2003 by Gary Nerison and Jim Bickel, who shared a vision for improving the lives of people with disabling diseases by supporting research that will take medicine forward in bold strides.

"As the father of a paraplegic son, Gary brings a deep-seated commitment to promoting initiatives to restore function to those suffering the devastating effects of paralysis. A long-time philanthropist and community leader, Jim joins Gary in the overriding belief that activism makes a difference, and that WHEF's concentrated efforts to make that difference will help pioneer new frontiers and lead to cures. Today WHEF is a national player in support of stem cell research at such leading institutions as Johns Hopkins University."