CTFAC Announces Maria Balda as New Executive Director, Accelerating Mission to Advance Stem Cell Therapy to Support Families Affected by Rare Diseases

WICHITA, KS --- Coming Together for a Cure (CTFAC), a pioneering nonprofit organization in stem cell therapy advocacy, today announced the appointment of Maria Balda as its new Executive Director, effective January 1, 2025. This strategic appointment comes as CTFAC advances its groundbreaking work in stem cell therapy access and research, marked by two transformative initiatives: supporting groundbreaking research in adult stem cell therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients and the successful premiere of their documentary, "The Sunshine Dreamer."

Balda, who has already demonstrated her impact as Director of Operations and Marketing, will work alongside Founder, Blake Benton, to scale the organization's core pillars: education, advocacy, and partnerships. Her appointment aligns with CTFAC's ambitious growth targets and key focus will be expanding access to emerging treatments, particularly stem cell therapy, which has shown promising results in slowing disease progression and improving quality of life for people living with various rare diseases..

"The story of Ryan Benton and CTFAC represents more than hope---it represents the power of perseverance and innovation in medical science," said Maria Balda. "As Executive Director, I am committed to expanding our reach and impact, ensuring that groundbreaking treatments become accessible to thousands of families affected by rare diseases. Every success story like Ryan's brings us closer to our vision of a world where no family has to travel across borders to find hope."

Balda brings executive leadership experience in driving organizational growth and managing diverse teams. Her track record includes revitalizing revenue streams, implementing strategic initiatives, and serving as a key liaison between executive leadership and stakeholders across various organizations.