Yesterday, I found a new blog helped set up by the Star-Telegram newspaper (Yes, the mainstream media of all people, who would have thunk it? )  in the Dallas/Fort Worth areas in Texas.  This is a special blog set up for two multiple sclerosis patients- Preston Walker, a Ft. Worth police sergeant and Richard Humphries, a nursing home administrator,  who had to travel to Costa Rica to receive stem cell therapy.  This stem cell treatment  has already helped them in less than one month.  My words can't do it justice.  Read the whole blog.  It is only two pages and describes their stem cell treatment/process in their own words in great detail.  If you or someone you know has multiple sclerosis (MS)- this is essential reading.

Start on this page - Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Therapy Blog

Then go to the May 2008 Archives and start from the beginning when they arrive in Costa Rica and follow them until now.  This just happened last month, so it is very recent.     Mr. Walker also generously invites people to email him.  If you have a spare moment, send him an email showing your support.  I think he would appreciate it.

That isn't the smoothest title of a blog post ever, but I wanted to get the full description of this stem cell article up there.  Ashton Santos, 17,  of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, is going to Costa Rica to get stem cell therapy to try to help his cerebral palsy and epilepsy.  Why does he have to leave the United States to receive this stem cell treatment? Let's ask Dr. Chris Cogle.  Maybe he knows:

 Stem cell researcher Dr. Chris Cogle at the University of Florida said he has mixed feelings about such enthusiasm. On the one hand, he said it is a positive step that such a family is actively using stem cells as a type of treatment.

"Unfortunately, we do not have all the opportunities in the United States to offer the family in regards to stem cells," he said.

And how does Ashton's mother feel about this? Let's see:

Santos has no qualms about subjecting her son to foreign medical establishments. After travels around the world, she has been exposed to other countries' health care systems and believes they may be better than what is available here.

"Other countries are more willing to try things," she said. "I also think in some ways they are more advanced than we are."

Ashton said he was excited and a bit nervous about his coming adventure, although he wasn't counting on anything.

"I am there to see what happens," the New Smyrna Beach High School junior said. "If it works, I will be happy. If it doesn't, we will try again." (You have to admire this attitude- DM)

Ashton, I wish you the best and I expect you to be another adult stem cell victory soon.  One day in the near future, I hope to help make this stem cell therapy available here in the United States so that you (and others like you) won't have to travel out of the country to get the treatment that you need.  

Click here to read the full article