Seed of Relief Aims to Find Answers for Pain with Medicinal Marijuana Research

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Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (PRWEB) February 06, 2013

Steven Schafer, Michigan native and entrepreneur has created Seed of Relief to raise funding for medicinal marijuana research. Seed of Relief, the newly created non-profit organization based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, strives to raise money from private donors, large and small, to launch rigorous and comprehensive studies on the potential usage and benefits of marijuana as a pharmacological agent for symptomatic relief.

Schafer was motivated to start Seed of Relief after meeting Irvin Rosenfeld. Rosenfeld was the second patient in the Federal Government’s Compassionate Investigational New Drug program, who sought relief from Multiple Congenital Cartilaginous Exostosis, a rare disease that caused over 10,000 tumors to grow on his bones. Rosenfeld has received over 115,000 Federal Medical Marijuana cigarettes throughout his 30 years in the program. Schafer believes that it is time to understand the effect of medical marijuana. Rosenfeld currently sits on Seed of Relief’s Board of Directors.

“This research will lead to important answers that may dramatically change the quality of life for patients with a variety of diseases and ailments. I am fully committed to funding rigorous and comprehensive research. This information will serve as a knowledge base that will further the medical field’s understanding about important public health issues,” said Schafer, founder of Seed of Relief.

Seed of Relief’s first fundraising goal is to raise $250,000 through crowd funding on social networks, including Facebook. Schafer says of the approach, “We’re using crowd funding as a way for everyone to give a little. This is such a great cause: everyone knows someone who benefits or could benefit from medicinal marijuana. We’re looking for everyone to give what they can, even if that is $5. Every little bit will truly help.” To donate, Seed of Relief is directing supporters to their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SeedofRelief. For more information, visit http://www.SeedofRelief.org.

Upon achieving their first fundraising goal of $250,000, they will identify an academic partner to conduct the research. The $250,000 will allow a group of national medical research experts to convene and consult with the chosen university partner on the proposed research methodology.

Joining Schafer and Rosenfeld on the Seed of Relief Board of Directors are Michiganders Adam Ossipove, Larry Shapiro, DO, William Gonte, MD, and Henry Gonte, MD, along with Jason Reis, and Nicole Kellum, NMD.

It is estimated by ProCon.com, an independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, that 2,399,258 people use marijuana for medicinal purposes. Seed of Relief strives to make it possible to grant medicinal marijuana access to needy patients nationwide through researched facts. Help Seed of Relief reach their goal by donating today at http://www.facebook.com/SeedofRelief or at http://www.SeedofRelief.org.

About Seed of Relief
Seed of Relief is a Michigan based 501(c)(3) organization working to raise money to end the debate and discover the truth surrounding medicinal marijuana. For more information on Seed of Relief, its mission, or to donate, please visit their website at http://www.SeedofRelief.org or their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SeedOfRelief.

About the Founders

Steven J. Schafer, Founder

Steven Schafer, 53, was born in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1980, after which he attended Cooley Law School. He is currently the President of Schafer Development, located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Schafer is also involved with the Physicians Certification Clinics in Michigan and Arizona, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, and the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

Schafer resides in West Bloomfield with his wife, four sons and daughter.

Adam Ossipove, Director

Adam Ossipove, 33, was born in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He graduated from Oakland University in 2002. He is currently the Vice President of Schafer Development, located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Schafer is also involved with the Physicians Certification Clinics in Michigan and Arizona, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, and the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

Ossipove resides in Franklin with his wife and two daughters.

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