The Don Margolis Blog

Multiple Sclerosis Patient Helped By His Own Adult Stem Cells

George Trajkovski, a multiple sclerosis patient who received his own adult stem cells is dancing again thanks to the benefits received from the treatment.  George started out seeking therapy by contacting the Repair Stem Cell Institute who put him in contact with Dr. Fernandez Vina, a member of the Repair Stem Cell Institute and I'll let George's wife take it from here:

Spinal Cord Injury Helped By Adult Stem Cells

A Mississippi teen with a spinal cord injury has improved his quality of life after receiving treatment with his own stem cells. The young man went to Germany to receive stem cell treatment at the Xcell Center, an adult stem cell therapy company. 

Justin McCray, a junior in high school will be able to attend school again for the first time since an accident injured his spinal cord and left him paralyzed thanks to benefits received after the therapy. 



From the stem cell news story:

McCray, a junior at North Forrest High School, still needs a wheelchair to get around. But he is now strong enough to move a non-mechanized chair himself and can move himself from his wheelchair.

"He has definitely made tremendous progress," physical therapist Jennifer Stewart said. "He has made so many gains in so many areas."

"We're still hopeful that he'll get up and be able to walk," said Marche' Maye, Justin's mother. "He has gotten so much back, just since we came back from Germany. "He's starting to feel things below his waist." "We can't imagine what that's like," Stewart said. "All of his goals relating to therapy are pointed toward gaining as much independence as possible. "The more independent we can make him, the better it is for him."

More On The Simple Stem Cell Procedure

McCray said the stem-cell procedure, in which stem cells are processed from the patient's bone marrow then reinjected, was not as invasive as it might sound. "They went up in my lower back and took the stem cells out, then injected me in my hip," he said. "It left me with a bad headache for about a day. But other than that, it wasn't too bad."

60% Success Rate - Not Too Shabby FOR SPiNal Cord Injuries

The procedure was done at the XCell-Center in Dusseldorf, Germany. The clinic claims about a 60 percent success rate in patients with spinal-cord injuries. McCray has regained significant movement and feeling from his waist up, and is starting to regain some feeling in his feet. More important, he is now able to stand up in leg braces and can walk a few steps with assistance.

Germany 60% Success Rate, United States 0%

Notice that nobody is promising a cure and a miracle.  In fact, the Xcell Center is not even promising improvement. 
Using the 60% success rate, it is easy for all to see that they have a 40% "unsuccessful" rate.  While the Xcell Center offers 60%, the United States offers a 0% success rate and a 100% "unsuccessful" rate as they offer nothing.  Thus, it is not surprising that spinal cord injury patients (and other patients) are flocking to Germany and other overseas clinics when the United States and all of their wonderful research and development has nothing to offer these people. 

Is it that the United States doesn't have the technology?  No, the technology is surprisingly simple and has been available for over 20 years.  Is it that the United States doesn't have the knowledge on the adult stem cell procedure?  No, for Justin McCray, it was as simple a procedure as a spinal tap.    Is it dangerous?  No, the treatment uses the patient's own stem cells, their own repair system.

Then why can't this stem cell treatment be done in the United States???  Millions of patients want to know.  I want to know. 

Other Stem Cell Success Stories

The Xcell Center also has had some success treating children with cerebral palsy. Also, see more patients with spinal cord injuries helped by their own adult stem cells.

Cerebral Palsy Helped By Adult Stem Cell Therapy

Another child with cerebral palsy has been helped by their own adult stem cells at the Xcell Center in Dusseldorf, Germany.  Sophia Chang, a 3 1/2 year old girl  is the latest in a long list of children who have traveled to Germany for the stem cell treatment and returned home with improvements in their cerebral palsy symptoms. 

In an open letter, the Chang family describes the stem cell procedure and how simple it is, and more importantly, how much it  has helped their daughter Sophia. 

Before The Adult Stem Cells Were Implanted

1. No protective reaction when falling, would have to wear a helmet as Sophia would fall on her head
2. Couldn't chew food, could only drink liquids and very soft food
3. Had difficulty walking, had to wear orthotics for her feet
4. No words and limited sounds

The Stem Cell Therapy Procedure Described

From the stem cell success story: 

The procedure was very simple. Sophia went in for the first part, handled the anesthesia just fine and the procedure itself of extracting the bone marrow took no more than 30 minutes. She woke up within an hour and she was just fine. We went back to the hotel and she did not exhibit any adverse effects or pain. After a few days, we went back to the center and had the second part of the treatment-they put her under and injected the stem cells into her spinal fluid which also took no more than 15 minutes or so. She woke up again within an hour and we went back to hotel. She was totally fine and back to her normal happy self by that evening.

Results of the Treatment

1. Developed a protective reaction to falling within a few weeks after treatment
2. Was able to chew food and developed more interest in foods
3. Not only walking, but running too!
4. Improvements in speech

Stem Cell Research Results for Cerebral Palsy Presented

In September 2009, the Xcell Center presented some of their research results of their cerebral palsy treatment. Click for the stem cell research results. We have also covered other cerebral palsy patients who have received positive benefits from this stem cell treatment. CP patients like Harvey Telford from England and Sierra Hill from Australia have also improved after the therapy and are planning to go a 2nd time. 

  

"Protecting" Patients From A Better Quality of Life

It is interesting to note that so many doctors in the United States say that these treatments are scams.  However, why do we see so many families want to take their children abroad a second time for more adult stem cell therapy?  Do they wish to be scammed a second time???  I don't think so. There is something good happening.

It is sad that families from the UK, USA, and Australia, all western countries with top level research facilities are unwilling to put the research into therapy.  They do this by using the mainstream media to moan about "unproven treatments" and "protecting the patients".   In reality, they are protecting the drug companies which can't make money off of your own repair system-- your own adult stem cells. 

And in the end the only thing they are accomplishing is "protecting" patients from a better quality of life.

Stem Cell Research Helps Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia

A stem cell research study in South Carolina is saving legs of patients with critical limb ischemia caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD).  Cathy Ballzigler was the latest PAD patient to have her leg saved by the power of adult stem cells in a trial at Roper Hospital.   She had critical limb ischemia, a condition in which no blood was going to her leg.  Her doctor wanted to amputate. 

From the stem cells success story:

"He really wanted to take my leg off, but I would beg and plead and say don't take it off, just do what you can," said Cathy.

"He told my husband that I was about 11 weeks from dying," she said.

Cathy was losing feeling in her leg. It's called critical limb ischemia. The arteries in her leg were blocked. Surgery didn't help.  Amputation was the next step.

"I went from 17 percent oxygen to over 66 percent oxygen after my surgery," said Cathy.

The stem cell treatment costs less than conventional limb-saving procedures like bypass surgery and stents.

Stem Cell Research Video On Critical Limb Ischemia

When Will The Stem Cell Study Finish?

We previously featured this stem cell research study in an April 2009 post.  In that stem cell success story, we featured Tom Fishcher, another peripheral artery disease patient who was suffering from critical limb ischemia as well.  The stem cells saved Tom from amputation and healed his leg. 

In that post I noted that in this particular procedure:

1. the stem cell treatment is cheaper than other alternatives (angioplasty or bypass) for Peripheral Artery Disease,


2. the therapy is safer and less invasive (just simple injections using a syringe of stem cells into the legs),


3. it has no side effects because it uses your own Adult Stem Cells,


4. and is probably 60-70% more effective than any other intervention--- but it won't be available for at least 4 more years (and that is being very optimistic).

Nothing to see here says the FDA -  The FDA is not interested in patients helped using their own stem cells. 

Stem Cell Therapy Helping Patients In India

A government run hospital in Mumbai, India is helping patients improve their quality of life through stem cell therapy using adult stem cells.   Sion Hospital in Mumbai is helping patients with diseases and conditions such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and motor neuron disease. 

From the stem cell success story :

Ankur Nath, 23, a muscular dystrophy patient was eating pizza for the first time in 9 years thanks to the stem cells taken from his bone marrow at Sion Hospital.  In fact, before the stem cell treatment 4 months ago, for the last 9 years, Ankur was unable to savor any meal due to the complications of his muscular dystrophy. 

A Better Quality of Life? Who Wouldn't Want That?

Skeptics of adult stem cell research say that  stem cells will probably not cure Ankur's muscular dystrophy.  They are probably right, the stem cells at this time will not cure Ankur.    However, the adult stem cells can slow the progression of the muscular dystrophy and give him a better quality of life.  Who wouldn't want that?  I can only imagine the joy he felt in eating that pizza. 


The other patient featured is Dr. Hemangi Sane, 34, a doctor who formerly practiced in New York and  is suffering from motor neuron disease , the same disease that Stephen Hawking has. 

Dr. Sane says :

“My shoulders are no longer droopy. I can speak clearly and for hours at a stretch. I can walk without swaying,’’ the 34-year-old listed. Until August (before the stem cell therapy), she spoke mostly in whispers and, while walking with assistance, could only register the designs on the floor. “Now, I can hold my neck up and watch all the beautiful colours,’’ she added.

India More Advanced Than USA In Stem Cell Research

This is wonderful what they are doing at Sion Hospital.  And it is a shame that the United States does not have similar hospitals- hospitals that use stem cell therapy to give patients like Ankur and Dr. Sane a better quality of life. Make no mistake, this isn't voodoo, these doctors are simply putting a person's own repair stem cells into the damaged area that is affecting them.  If you have never been through stem cell therapy or have never witnessed it, you would be shocked at how amazingly simple it is.  And you would be similarly shocked that it isn't available to patients in the United States.  As I continue to repeat- not treating these patients with something (their own adult stem cells) that can help them (with no negative effects) is allowing them to suffer and die. 

More from Sion Hospital in Mumbai, India:

The first patient whom Sion Hospital treated, Ravindra Ahire, who met with a bike accident in April 2007 and sustained severe spinal cord injuries, is, in fact, walking with a stick. “We have treated 76 patients with various diseases so far and most are doing much better than what they were doing before the therapy,’’ said Dr Sharma, who began the stem cell treatment after years of conducting laboratory studies.

“Muscular atrophy and motor neuron disease can bring about a complete change in the patient’s life. By offering them stem cell therapy, we have managed to brighten their lives to an extent. They are more independent than before,’’ said Dr Sandhya Kamat, dean of Sion Hospital.

In fact, Dr Sharma feels that Ankur’s recovery “after stem cell therapy is nothing short of miraculous’’. For one, Ankur was the first patient on a ventilator to be treated by the Sion team.

No harm in treatment from adult stem cells-- only potential upside. 

2009 Inspiring Stem Cell Success Stories

Another year is over and I want to thank you all for visiting this adult stem cell research blog.  Your enthusiastic emails and inspiring comments give me the energy to keep writing.  However, even more inspiring are stem cell success stories such as this one.  2 best friends, both with cerebral palsy, embarked on a journey in which a community came together to help raise money for a stem cell treatment that is now changing their lives.

Dominic King and Harrison Spiers, both 10 years old, from Englewood, Colorado went to Germany in August 2009, to receive stem cell therapy using adult stem cells taken from their own bodies. 

From the stem cell news story:


Harrison's father said the procedure is not related to the use of embryonic stem cells.

"There's been a lot of debate on health care, and stem cells. This is not controversial. They are taking it from (Harrison's) own body and putting it back in his own body. It's here and now, not maybe 30 years from now," he said.

But the procedure is not done in the United States, so the boys would have to raise thousands of dollars and travel to Germany. Fortunately, their school and their community stepped up and made it possible.

"It's amazing. I know we keep saying that word, but truly is," Alicia Spears. "(We) hear it everyday on the news…people are being laid off, unemployment numbers are up, money is tight. And yet, people in this neighborhood and this community found a way to write checks."

"It hit me, I started crying in the car and thought this is just unbelievable what people will do," Christina King said.

Stem Cell Video For Cerebral Palsy

 

Tide Is Changing In The Media Regarding Stem Cell Research?

I hope you watched the whole stem cell video.  I was near tears by the end.  Whoever put this video together deserves a gold medal.  This wasn't just a usual 2 minute snippet.  This was a full 6 minute video about a tremendous adult stem cell story.  Hopefully, this is a turning point in which the media now focuses on stem cell research that is NOW helping people daily- adult stem cell therapy to be exact.  I think the tide is turning and no longer are the media infatuated with these scientists who give good quotes about the potential of embryonic stem cells, but never "show us the money".   The only people helped by embryonic stem cell research are the scientists who get paid with our tax dollars. 

A very happy new year to all of you and let's get the word out about adult stem cells- maybe  we can get it here in the USA some day soon (perhaps I am too caught up in the New Year excitement :). 


We have plenty of other success stories about children and adults with cerebral palsy helped by adult stem cells.  Please feel free to explore our website for more inspiring stories. 

Tre Porfirio, US Hero And Stem Cell Pioneer

A US soldier with multiple gun shot wounds in his pancreas was saved from Diabetes using new stem cell research.  Tre Porfirio, a 21 year old US airman, was shot while serving our country in Afghanistan.  Bullets almost destroyed his pancreas, the place in the body where insulin is produced. 

In an amazing development for stem cell research, doctors at the University of Miami removed some remaining insulin producing islet cells from his pancreas and transplanted these cells into his liver.  Now, these islet cells are producing insulin for his body from his liver! 

Tre Porfirio (above) - A Stem Cell Pioneer

Stem Cell Process To Save Tre Porfirio

1. Doctors at Walter Reed removed what was left of Porfirio's pancreas, packed it into a special container that held it at 32.3 degrees Fahrenheit and couriered it to the University of Miami. Ricordi and his team received it at 11 p.m. and spent the next six hours removing the insulin-producing islet cells.
2. Using enzymes and gentle heat, they extracted thousands of the cells, which range from .002 inches to .02 inches across, put them in a plastic bag similar to those used in blood donations, put them back in the container, this time at 46 degrees -- and, by 6:30 Thanksgiving morning -- couriered it back to Walter Reed.
3. There, doctors hoisted the bag on a pole and, by gravity, fed the islet cells into a duct in the airman's liver, with Dr. Ricordi and his team coordinating the procedure via an Internet connection with surgeons at Walter Reed. By Monday, the new cells in his liver were producing insulin, although doctors also were giving him extra insulin to avoid stressing the new cells.

Dr. Camillo Ricordi, Stem Cell Genius

Credit for this miracle goes to Dr. Camillo Ricordi, chief of the University of Miami Medical School's Diabetes Research Institute, and a stem cell research pioneer who has been trying similar methods on patients since 1990. 

From the stem cell news article:

``The cells are lodged in his liver now, and they will develop their own new blood vessels there within weeks,'' Ricordi says.

Ricordi is optimistic about Porfirio's prognosis, even long-term.

``There's no reason to think they [the cells] will fail at any time. He has a very good chance for long-term health.''

Ricordi says that, since only about half of Porfirio's pancreas was left from which to remove islet cells, the remaining cells in the liver might not be able to produce as much insulin as he needs -- and might need to be supplemented.

``We've never done this before. We don't want to be over-optimistic.''

Optimistic, But Not Over-optimistic???

Look at those last 4 paragraphs-- "Ricordi is optimistic.... There's no reason to think they will fail.".. and then the last sentence we get "we don't want to be over-optimistic." 

What's wrong with being optimistic or even over optimistic?  Positive thinking can help one's health too- numerous studies have shown this.  And if it fails, that would be disappointing, but the alternative would have been to do nothing at all and just let Tre become a full blown diabetic.    Again, I wish these doctors would be more proud of their research and achievements rather than the standard "much is still unknown, but it is promising"  vanilla statements we always get. 

Nevertheless, brave to Dr. Ricordi at the University of Miami for his achievements in stem cell research. 

Research Study Shows Adult Stem Cells Effective For Heart Disease

A new double blind study just released this month proves that adult stem cells are effective for heart disease patients.  The Reinfusion of Enriched Progenitor Cells And Infarct Remodeling in Acute Myocardial Infarction (REPAIR-AMI) research trial shows that patients who received their own stem cells after a heart attack did significantly better than patients who didn't receive adult stem cells after a heart attack.

From the stem cell research study: 

The statistics that shouldn't give anyone a heart attack if you know even a little bit about adult stem cells are as follows:

• 101 heart attack patients were given their own adult stem cells,  103 heart attack patients received a placebo.
• 2 years after their heart attack,  0 patients who had been given stem cells had suffered a 2nd heart attack, while 7 heart attack patients from the placebo group did have a second heart attack.  This is a statistically significant difference.
• 3 out of 101 heart attack patients given stem cells died,  8 heart attack patients given the placebo died.
• Only 1 out of 101 patients given stem cells had to return to the hospital for congestive heart failure, while 5 of the 103 heart attack patients given the placebo were rehospitalized for heart failure.

When We Be Able To Get Stem Cells?

All stats favor the the heart attack patients who received their own adult stem cells.  This shouldn't surprise anyone and is just further proof that adult stem cells should be given to every heart attack patient as a standard medical intervention.  The fact that stem cell therapy is still not available to the millions of heart attack patients around the world every year is practically a crime against humanity.  I can't think of a reason NOT to give these patients stem cells.

More Research Is Needed? Why?

Of course, Dr. Birgit Assmus, the leader of the study, and assistant professor of cardiology at J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, plays down his impressive results and says " "More research is needed, but this gives us a hint of what might be possible with this new treatment — prevention of another heart attack and of rehospitalization for heart failure, both life-threatening complications."  Assmus also says "Large, randomized trials are urgently needed to assess the effects of progenitor-cell therapy in patients with heart attacks."

Just once, I want to hear one of these doctors who complete these stem cell research trials with tremendous results say "YES, I just proved that adult stem cells are effective.  Let's start using them!!"  That would be better than these "medical establishment" correct statements that just say "we need more money for more research studies." 

But bravo anyhow to Dr. Assmus.  Well done. 

Blinded Eye Given Gift of Sight Back After Stem Cell Treatment

A man blinded after having ammonia squirted in his eye is now able to see again thanks to adult stem cells taken from his own body.  Russell Turnbull, 38, from England had therapy using stem cells taken from his other eye in a research study in London. 

The treatment has enabled Russell to regain the use of his right eye after the ammonia attack.  It was a very simple procedure in which cells were taken from his left eye (his good eye) and then grown in a lab and implanted into his right eye- as simple as that. 

What Does Russell Have To Say? 

From the stem cell news article:

Russell of Consett, Co Durham, had endured 12 years of painful treatments - which all failed - until he was asked to take part in the North East England Stem Cell Institute trial in 2006.

He said: "It has restored my sight. The results really are amazing and I cannot thank the doctors enough. It has given me my life back."

Stem Cell Process For Eyes

• A slice of stem cells one millimetre square is removed from the cornea of the patient's good eye
• It is placed on a sheet of amniotic membrane and immersed in blood from the patient and a solution of glucose, insulin and hydrocortisone
• The stem cells grow until they cover the surface of the membrane
•  The surface layers of the bad cornea are then removed ready for the transplant of the new stem cells
• The membrane and stems cells are stitched to the damaged cornea.
• After eight weeks they graft to the cornea restoring the patient's sight

Move Along, Nothing To See Here Folks

While much is made of this stem cell research study, this isn't really so new.  If you look at these stem cell treatment for cornea success stories, you will see that adult stem cells have been helping cornea injuries for quite some time.  Also, for other eye conditions helped by stem cell therapy- you can click for optic nerve helped by adult stem cells stories.  

Macular Degeneration seems to be difficult for adult stem cells at the moment, but there is no doubt in my mind that adult stem cell research will come up with something shortly thus benefitting millions.

Stem Cell Research Benefits Optic Nerve Hypoplasia Patient

Another young girl with optic nerve hypoplasia is reporting improvements in her vision after receiving stem cell treatment.  Lilli Mann, 8, from North Dakota is now seeing things she has never seen before after getting stem cell research in China using cord blood stem cells.

The Only Viable Treatment For ONH

Lilli is the latest child to show improvements in her vision following the therapy and research Optic nerve hypoplasia or ONH is a genetic condition in which the optic nerve fails to develop leaving the patient blind or with very limited vision.  Until adult stem cells, there was no way to help these patients.   Adult Stem Cell treatment is the first viable therapy for this condition as many children have proved.

Before Receiving Adult Stem Cells

1. Could Only See Large Letters From 15 cm away on Eye Exam
2. Could Only Listen To TV
3. Never Saw Snow

After The Stem Cell Treatment

1. Now Can See Large Letters From 60 cm away on Eye Exam -  Quadruple Improvement!
2. Can Now Watch TV
3. Saw snow for the first time as well as countless other things she never had the opportunity to see

From the stem cell news story:

Lilli, born with optic nerve hypoplasia, an incurable disease which occurs while in the womb, traveled to Qingdao, China, with her mother in September to receive stem cell injections said to repair damaged nerve tissue. Although the 25-day visit was difficult and full of treatments and therapies brand new to Lilli, for the Manns the results are thrilling.

Lilli was particularly thrilled to be able to read large print. During an eye test, Christi indicated doctors determined Lilli was seeing large letters from 60 centimeters away, when at home, prior to the treatment, she was seeing them at 15 centimeters away.

Now that she has returned to Wahpeton, Lilli's improved range of vision continues at home and in the classroom. She's pointed out to her parents' cars parked an average of two parking lots away. Christi said she's even been able to identify the car's color.

In school, Lilli is able to participate in games of kickball in gym class, where they use a purple ball she's able to identify.

Stem cells are meant to work as an "internal repair system" that mature between six and nine months of being injected. While the Manns hope for improvement beyond what Lilli has gone through to date, she'll always maintain what advances she's made because of her visit to China.

Christi first began to see a change in Lilli during outings to the mall being built across the street from the hospital in Qingdao.

"We went there everyday to get out and do something," Christi said. "She'd find things on the wall and ask what they were."

Quality of Life Improvements From Adult Stem Cells

Another quality of life improvement thanks to adult stem cells.  Since the therapy was made available, many youngsters like Macie Morse, the young girl from Colorado with ONH who can now drive after the stem cell research and treatment and Lawrence Brown, a young man from Texas who also has improved greatly.

If you are interested in stem cell treatment for ONH or some other disease or condition, please go to Adult Stem Cell Research  and fill out the form and we will be happy to assist you.