The Don Margolis Blog

Infertility Solved Through Adult Stem Cell Therapy

A woman who couldn't have a child due to infertility problems is now pregnant after stem cell therapy in which she had her own adult stem cells implanted in her womb for endometrium regeneration. 

Endometrium Growth Enabled By Stem Cells

Poonam, age 31, of Kutch, India, had no endometrium growth and thus was unable to have children, even through IVF.  Surrogate mothering was suggested, but Poonam wanted to give birth to a baby herself. 

From the stem cell news story:

Dr Chaitanya Nagori and Dr Sonal Panchal of Nagori Institute of Infertility claim that Poonam is the first successful case of pregnancy conceived through stem cell therapy for endometrium generation.

"This pregnancy promises a breakthrough in treating women who suffer infertility due to poor endometrium growth. In fact, majority of women who are forced to opt for surrogacy suffer from this problem and will be able to avoid hiring a surrogate," says Dr Nagori.

1. Bone Marrow Was Removed And Sent To A Lab Where Adult Stem Cells Were Grown
2. Uterus lining of Poonam was cleaned up and stem cells transplanted into her uterine cavity under the guidance of sonography.
3. We had to give her estrogen to give the right push to stem cells to generate into endometrium.

"We had to give her estrogen to give the right push to stem cells to generate into endometrium. In three months time, Poonam had got a 6 mm lining which was good enough to proceed with IVF," says Dr Nagori.

"This treatment would give boost to a lot of women who do not want surrogacy and want to experience childbirth. In many cases, endometrium fails to grow if there have been cleaning up of the uterus too often or due to chronic infections," says Dr Panchal.

Stem Cell Research For Endometrium Regeneration

This is the first I have heard of adult stem cell treatment and research for infertility and endometrium growth.  It makes common sense.  The endometrium is the lining of the uterus.  This tissue is shed every month during a woman's menstrual period.  Then, the endometrium is regrown until the next menstrual period until it is shed again.

If endometrium is not regenerated, then that woman is  unable to conceive as endometrium is necessary for the embryo to implant in the uterus and grow as a normal fetus.

Enter Adult Stem Cells!  The patient's own repair mechanisms, her stem cells from her bone marrow were drawn and multiplied.  These stem cells were then implanted where they were needed- in this case the endometrium.  And the adult stem cells did what they were born to do-- repair and regenerate. 

No Embryonic Stem Cells Involved!

Please note that only adult stem cells were used.  Embryonic stem cells were not involved in any way in this therapy.   

A Shocker? Adult Stem Cells Help Heart Attack Patients

A new stem cell research study shows that giving adult stem cells to a patient who had suffered a heart attack is more effective than giving a patient nothing following a heart attack.  Dr. Joshua Hare, of the University of Miami, along with 10 other universities completed a study that shouldn't surprise any readers of this blog. 

Research Clinical Trial Details:

The study enrolled 53 patients who had suffered a heart attack within 10 days.  75% of these heart attack patients received infusions of adult stem cells.   25% of the heart attack patients received a placebo (ie. nothing). 

Unsurprisingly, the 75% who received the stem cell therapy are now faring better than the patients who didn't receive anything. 

All patients were tested using an MRI and echocardiogram, 

From the stem cell news article:

After six months, patients who received the adult stem cells were four times as likely to have improved overall condition, were able to pump more blood with each heartbeat than untreated patients, had only one-quarter as many dangerous heart arrhythmias, and suffered no toxicity or other serious adverse side effects from the treatment.

Echocardiograms showed patients had improved heart function, particularly in those patients with large amounts of cardiac damage. Patients also have improvements in lung function.

Why? Emergency signals sent out by wounded heart tissue attract help from stem cells. It's probable that the stronger signal from the more damaged hearts attracted more of the stem cells to the site of injury, suggest Cleveland Clinic researchers Marc S. Penn, MD, PhD, and colleagues in an editorial accompanying the Hare report in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Joshua Hare, Led the Research Study Using Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy Available In United States in 2020?

While this is a promising stem cell research study, if you are thinking this may help heart disease patients in the United States in the near future, you are sadly mistaken.  This was only a Phase 1 study.  Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies must still be completed and approved by the snails at the FDA and then this was only a trial for patients who had a heart attack within the last 10 days (before receiving the stem cells).  

What if you had a heart attack 5 years ago and now suffer from congestive heart failure?  Well, there are still congestive heart failure trials going on, but don't expect anything in the United States for at least 5 more years.   That is the reason more and more Americans are leaving the comforts of the United States. 

Nonetheless, this is a nice addition to the overwhelming evidence that adult stem cells can help heart disease patients.  -Congestive heart failure, recent heart attacks, coronary artery disease- all have been shown to be helped by stem cell therapy using adult stem cells.  So if you aren't convinced yet that adult stem cells can help heart disease, I'm not quite sure what else I can do. 

Is Stem Cell Therapy A Cure For Heart Disease?

No, I'm not saying it is a 100% cure.  I'm not saying it works in every case of heart disease.  But, I am saying that giving adult stem cells has no side effects AND there is a good chance that it will help improve a  heart patient's quality of life.  I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be given to all heart patients.  To not give them something that could save their life is essentially sentencing them to death. 
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When will the FDA wake up and make stem cell treatment available to the general population? Until they do, they are costing people their lives by doing nothing.

If you are interested in stem cell treatment using adult stem cells, please write me an email at don@repairstemcells.org and we will assist you in seeking therapy- unfortunately it will most likely be abroad in a foreign country. 

Stem Cell Research Leads To Treatment For MS

A 46 year old woman is reporting amazing improvements in her multiple sclerosis (MS) after receiving adult stem cell treatment.  Kang Sook Park, who has had MS for more than 20 years is the latest multiple sclerosis patient to improve her quality of life following research that led to the therapy using only adult stem cells.

Before stem cell treatment For Multiple Sclerosis:

1. Vision Loss- optic neuritis,  vision blurry, lost abiltiy to read
2. Loss of  motion and feelings in legs and arms- 
3. Depression - like many MS patients, the loss of her physical abilities sometimes depressed her
4. Loss of Independence- couldn't get around by herself

After stem cell therapy:

1. Regained vision-  vision became clearer, can read again
2. EMG showed improved scores in her upper and lower limbs- her arms and legs
3. Feels Happier Due to her physical changes
4. Independent again-  doesn't need help getting around

From the stem cell news story:

Prior to stem cell treatment, Park suffered from Optic Neuritis -- a common symptom of MS. Some of the symptoms of Optic Neuritis include double vision, vision loss, and uncontrollable rapid eye movements. She was not able to recognize any writing due to her vision loss. After six months of receiving stem cell therapy, Park experienced phenomenal changes. Her vision improved drastically -- she was able to read. Furthermore, it also became possible for her to move her legs using her own muscular strength.

"My legs felt like hollow logs. They were so numb and stiff. However, after receiving stem cell treatment, I can actually feel my legs. I can also tell the difference in cold and warm temperatures. Stem cell therapy brought incredible changes to my physical condition," stated Kang Sook Park.

Park also added, "Receiving stem cell turned my life around. I feel like I am reborn. The fact that I am in this condition brings me new joy. I love the fact that I no longer need anyone's help to get from place to place. I would like to share my experience to others who may have this rare disease. I want to let others know that they can find hope through stem cell treatment, just the way I did."

Dr. Chang Won Kim reported Park's EMG findings before and after the stem cell treatment. "Patients who have an uncommon disease such as MS rarely show improvement or are completely cured. EMG results showed that Park's movement increased both in upper and lower limbs. Reduction in latency suggests that demyelination was also improved. It is extremely difficult for MS patients to use their own strength to even make small movements in the arms or legs. These changes in Park were possible through stem cell therapy."

New Kids On The Stem Cell Block - RNL Bio

This is another great stem cell success story from RNL Bio, an adult stem cell company with offices in South Korea, China, Japan and the USA, though I believe the stem cell treatments always take place in Asia.  Last month, we reported that RNL Bio used their stem cell research to help Chloe Soe, a young American who was suffering from hearing loss.  Chloe was treated with her own adult stem cells.

And before that, RNL Bio also helped John Cullison with his arthritis.   RNL Bio a new player in the stem cell treatment business and seem to be doing all the right things-- helping people improve the quality of their lives.

Not Available in the United States

We have covered dozens of MS patients who have improved following stem cell treatment for their multiple sclerosis.  Unfortunately, all of them have had to leave the United States to do so.  The United States offers MS patients expensive drugs that don't work.  The reason these MS patients go to Costa Rica, China, Germany, Israel and other countries for adult stem cell treatment is the United States has nothing to help and nothing to offer them. Why can't we offer these patients a (stem cell) treatment with zero side effects and a good chance of helping them improve their lives?  Only the faceless beaurocrats at the FDA and close minded doctors who refuse to see the growing evidence that adult stem cells are a valid treatment can answer that question.

Click here to see more stem cell success stories for multiple sclerosis. 

If you are interested in receiving adult stem cells for MS or perhaps another disease or condition, please send me an email at don@repairstemcells.org and we will be happy to assist you. 

Singapore Enters World of Stem Cell Research And Treatment

Singapore has just become the latest country to utilize stem cell research using adult stem cells.  A young girl with cerebral palsy is reporting improvement after receiving her own cord blood stem cells which were saved at birth from her umbilical cord.  Georgia Conn, 2 1/2 years old, is believed to be the first child treated in Singapore with her own stem cells.

Georgia- First Child In Singapore To Receive Adult Stem Cell Treatment

Stem Cell Treatment Repairs Brain - No Side Effects

Before the stem cell treatment, due to a brain injury at birth, Georgia would suffer more than 50 seizures per day.  Now, thanks to the injection of her own stem cells, Georgia suffers less seizures, has more muscle strength and can sit more than a hour without pain. 

From the stem cell news article:

Mrs Conn, who had an easy pregnancy, said that they signed up to bank cord blood with private blood bank CordLife a week before Georgia was born.

They never thought they would have to use it.

"It took us over 18 months and an enormous amount of research to find information about the potential for using stem cells, if any, and especially using a child's own cord blood to help children with cerebral palsy," said Mrs Conn.

Dr. Keith Goh - Stem Cell Pioneer in Singapore

Georgia was treated by Singapore neurosurgeon and stem cell pioneer, Dr. Keith Goh.  Dr. Goh says " Conventional treatment can improve the muscle tone of the limbs, but it does not solve the root problem of damage in the brain, which controls the body's motor functions.  Injecting cord blood into the patient is believed to result in a significant portion of stem cells going to the brain to repair the damaged neurons."

Stem Cell Therapy For All - Whether You Saved the Cord Blood Stem Cells Or Not

This stem cell treatment is also available in the United States at Duke University where doctors are treating cerebral palsy kids, but only for the children whose parents have stored their own cord blood at birth.  See more on this stem cell research here and here

However, if your child has cerebral palsy, and you didn't save his/her cord blood at birth, please don't think that disqualifies your child from stem cell therapy.   We have seen kids and adults with CP who have improved either using their own adult stem cells taken from their bone marrow  and we also have seen many with cerebral palsy who have been helped from the use of donated cord blood from other children.

Interested In Stem Cell Treatment?

If you are interested in this treatment and therapy that uses only adult stem cells, please write me an email at don@repairstemcells.org and I will try to assist you.

Parkinson's Patient Helped by Adult Stem Cells

A man suffering from Parkinson's Disease for 22 years is reporting tremendous improvement after receiving his own adult stem cells from a treatment center in Germany.  Aubra "Phil" Phillips says the stem cell research and therapy gave him the will to live again after considering suicide due to the severe symptoms of the Parkinson's.

Not only did the stem cell treatment give him the will to live, it also improved many of the Aubra Phillips' symptoms of his Parkinson's disease. 

From Falling And Stumbling To Bowling!

From the stem cell news article:


"I was about ready to commit suicide," he said from his Prescott Valley home. "I was stumbling around, falling, had the shakes and I slurred my words."

Today, after two stem cell transplant surgeries at the XCell-Center in Cologne, Germany, Phil walks and talks like any other healthy, articulate 59-year-old grandfather.

Phil and Donna flew to Germany in December 2008 for a lumbar puncture operation. He returned recently from his second operation. Surgery requires a patient to stay in Germany four to five days and costs about $10,000.

"The first day, they took the cells from my hip," he said. "We spent the next couple of days at the hotel sightseeing, and then you go back and they inject the cells into your spinal fluid. You have to rest for 36 hours and then go back for a final check up."


Donna said that humor is the couple's best weapon against Phil's disease.

"It's all about your attitude," Phil said. "There are no guarantees this operation works for everyone and the doctors tell you that.

"It was a long shot, but it was worth it."

"It was like turning a light bulb back on," Donna said. "He's laughing and smiling again. He wakes up every morning in a good mood. He started bowling and joined a league."

Doctors treat Parkinson's victims with a smorgasbord of medication, vitamins and exercises.

Many Parkinson's Patients Would Agree...

"You have to take some pills for the disease, and then you have to take more pills to counteract the side effects of the other pills," Phil said. "Pretty soon, you're taking pills for fake diseases that were created by the other pills."

Phillips was previously featured in Forbes magazine after his first stem cell treatment in Germany for his Parkinson's Disease. 

Why Isn't Stem Cell Treatment Available In The United States?

As I have argued before, this is a simple treatment using a person's own adult stem cells. There are no controversies as with embryonic stem cells.  There are no side effects. The procedure is easy and very safe.

It is a huge travesty that this treatment isn't made available to the American public and that patients like Aubra Phillips have to go to Germany for such a simple thing.    Not only is it a shame, it is costing American lives as a person's own stem cells have the ability to improve the patient's quality of life.  No, throwing more money at stem cell research isn't going to solve anything Obama.  These treatments are already here and ready to use. 

Are all the answers about stem cells known?  No, not at all.  Are adult stem cells a cure for Parkinson's? Probably not, but we know they can help.  Enough is known that adult stem cells can help heal and improve a patient's quality of life with zero side effects- much better than being on medication that only masks the symptoms, but fails to treat the disease. 

Michael J Fox - Where Are You?

Michael J Fox, where are you?  I believe that Michael J Fox has the power to make adult stem cell therapy available now.  Michael J Fox has the clout.  He has his Parkinson's disease foundation.  He has the money.  He has the name power.  It is my opinion that Michael J Fox can make this happen.  And I call on him to help.  Not only go on the talk shows talking about research for Parkinson's-- Michael could get stem cell therapy himself and not only would it possibly improve his life, it would help millions of others too.   Michael, where are you?

Adult Stem Cell Research Still Evolving

And now, doctors in Germany and India are implanting the adult stem cells directly into the brain for Parkinson's disease patients using stereotactic surgery.  Stem Cell research doctors believe that this may be even more effective than the lumbar puncture that was used for Aubra Phillips because the stem cells can be placed exactly where they are needed. 

Interested In Stem Cell Therapy For Parkinson's?

If you are interested in this stem cell treatment, please write me an email at don@repairstemcells.org and I will try my best to assist you in seeking this therapy.

Stem Cell Research Used For Breasts!

Stem Cell research is now being used not only to help improve a sick patient's quality of life, but also used for cosmetic purposes.  Breast augmentation or breast enlargement is the latest use of adult stem cells- using a person's own stem cells. 

Available In The United States? Of Course Not

In the U.K. (of course not the United States where the only thing we are first at is implanting embryonic stem cells into rats and celebrating it), Lucy Mead, 23, became the first woman in the U.K. to use stem cell treatment for breast augmentation. 

Before And After Pictures of Stem Cell Breast Augmentation

You can see the "Before Stem Cell Treatment" and "After"  here:

 A First Person Perspective- Stem Cells For Breasts

Lucy, describes the stem cell treatment for her breasts in her own words in this stem cell news article:

The title of the article is aptly named : The stem cell boob job: It takes fat from your thighs to boost your bust - but does it work?

Here is more from Lucy on the results of the stem cell therapy for her breasts using stem cells taken from her own fat--

There wasn’t any bruising on my breasts. They’re noticeably bigger, lifted and more rounded giving a lovely shape in my clothes and they’re the same size as each other now, too.

My clothes definitely feel looser already over my thighs and hips even though it’ll be another few days before all the swelling’s gone down.

Friends tell me my breasts look amazing and, best of all, I know they’ll be with me for good now without fear of any of the complications you can get with implants such as rejection, calcification or even having to have them replaced in a decade’s time. Dr Mike Comins says: Stem cells have drawn a lot of controversy in recent years, mainly in relation to embryos. But they are causing a lot of excitement in the medical industry as there are dozens of uses for them, such as repairing and replacing cells damaged by heart attacks.

The Stem Cell Enriched Breast Augmentation is the first time stem cells have been used in purely cosmetic surgery. It's safe, effective and cost effective. It’s a very natural, organic way of improving the shape and size of the breasts

More on the stem cell procedure:

 

He explained that the procedure would be carried out under local anaesthetic and would involve removing fat from my hips and thighs – where I naturally carry excess fat.

Half of this would then be put through a special machine that extract and condense the stem cells. They would then be mixed with the remaining fat and injected into my breasts.

Dr Comins told me that unlike previous methods of fat transfer which may only last a few months because the fat cells are often absorbed into the blood stream or simply die, the stem cells used in this new process generate their own blood supply once inside the breasts and successfully integrate the fat with the surrounding tissue. The results are totally natural, permanent and instant.

Previously Covered Cosmetic Stem Cell Treatments

We previously covered this treatment before.  Not only is it now being used for cosmetic purposes, but also for women who have had a lumpectomy and want breast reconstruction

Also, it is now being used cosmetically as a safer, less invasive stem cell facelift. 

The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is..

While these are not life-threatening diseases or conditions, it simply further proves that using your own adult stem cells is a safe proposition-  so patients with heart disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.. have nothing to fear from stem cell therapy. 

Trouble With Doctors In Australia

A mother of a young boy with congestive heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy in Australia illustrates that stem cell research ignorance is not limited to only the United States.  In the latest Repair Stem Cell Institute's newsletter, Michaela writes how the doctors (cardiologists)  in Australia have mistreated her son Lee, 16,  and ridiculed the adult stem cell treatment that has already improved Lee's condition greatly.

Adult Stem Cell Therapy Ridiculed

Lee went to Thailand in February 2009 and was treated with his own adult stem cells taken from his blood.  The stem cells were injected into Lee's heart for his congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy.  The therapy has helped Lee and at this time, he is living life like a normal child. 

This is from Michaela (Lee's mother):

For many years I'd taken note of the progress with stem cell research believing this was the road I'd take for Lee but I had no idea it was already being done overseas. If I had known, I would have sought help sooner.  
 
There is very little info being put out in Australia and the Doc's do a great job of dismissing what is there as fantasy. The treatment we have received from the Medical Profession is unbelievable! I have been ridiculed, portrayed as a bad mother and have been threatened with treatment being withheld for Lee if I continued to believe in the ability of stem cells and didn't consent to transplant.

I now take a representative from the Consumer Health Advocate org with me to each appointment just to keep things civil. Lee wasn't born with the condition Dilated Cardiomyopathy, corrective surgeries for Aortic Stenosis is to blame. His case has been one “stuff-up” after another and they'd like nothing more than to sweep him under the carpet and I feel transplant was how they planned to do this. They left him for 11 years with no attempt to fix his valves knowing the heart couldn't continue to work at that rate. 

So far, I haven't put Lee forward as an advocate for stem cell therapy in Australia. I've posted the odd thing on Facebook groups but mostly I have kept quiet. I've just sat back watching him go from strength to strength praying for the day I can put him out there as proof that this is the future in medicine. Lee's heart is still way too big and his EF is low, on paper he's in a bad way. I'm in regular contact with the surgeon Dr Permyos and he has a strong belief that Lee will be successful.

When you get to end stage Congestive Heart Failure you don't have reductions in heart size & BNP and your dependancy on Lasix increases, it doesn't cease. He no longer suffers shortness of breath or palpitations and he plays Squash for school sport. Something is at work David and it's more than wishful thinking! If you think Lee's case may give hope to someone else than I'm prepared to provide you with any info you need. I know Lee was the first child treated for heart failure, maybe others might consider the surgery for their child rather than take the dreaded transplant alternative. I'm so glad I took the chance with stem cell therapy and I'll do it again if I have to. Lee would not be alive and living an active life without it!

Mother Takes Control Of Son's Health Care

Earlier, Michaela had written to Dr. Davis at the Heart Scan Blog  (I slightly changed the title of his post for this post) bemoaning Australia's cardiologists for being uninformed on the issue of nutritional supplements (in particular Vitamin D)  and stem cell research. Most importantly, she reports that her son Lee is doing better thanks to the adult stem cells.  Here is her letter from the Heart Scan Blog :

Hi Dr Davis,

I wrote to you back in July regarding my 15 year old son's need for a Heart Transplant through a failed Ross Repair and the possible Vitamin D connection. You sent me some valuable links and I thank you again for that.

I just wanted to let you know, I think you have given me the answers. I increased Lee's Vitamin D supplement to 6000U a day and, along with the recommended nutritional supplements of US Cardiologist Dr Stephen T Sinatra, there have been remarkable improvements! Lee also had 70 million of his own Adult Stem Cells injected into his heart in February. As we know, Stem Cell Therapy takes time and Lee was looking like time was quickly running out.

I have removed him from the transplant list. He is now reading normal Kidney function, the BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide, a measure of heart failure] has dropped by 7000 and his liver size has reduced to where it no longer causes him discomfort. The liver tests show it's still affected but it's function is improving each month. His last Echo was in early July and there had been a reduction in the size of his heart, which is so important.

To the Doc's, Lee can't get better, there is only transplant or death so you can imagine the surprise on their faces to see him looking and feeling so well with their tests to back it up. Still, even though it's staring them in the face, they don't want to know about it. They have no interest in what supplements he is on or Stem Cell therapy. God help their other patients. I view them in the waiting room and think of them as lambs to the slaughter.

We are not spoiled for choice with Doc's here in Western Australia. I have to take what I can get and there is not many who would take on Lee's case. He was number 1 on the transplant list and a most urgent case. Not many were willing to even look at him with his cardiac history and all I had to help was the arrogant Doc's at the Advanced Heart Failure Unit. They were not at all interested in his secondary hyperparathyroidism. I suppose it didn't matter what else he had compared to his heart problems.

Anyway, I'm writing to thank you. Lee would be transplanted or dead now if it wasn't for Dr's like you sharing their knowledge online. I wish I had researched things years ago, Lee might not have sunk so low if I had. I don't know if the transplant can be held off indefinitely, but like I tell Lee, "Stay well. There are amazing people out there doing amazing things, if you can just hang on. The miracle is around the corner." He's so well, you'd have to see him to believe it. But I have 7 kids and Lee is as physically active and as well as the other 6! For how long he can stay like this, I don't know but if his ejection fraction [a measure of left ventricular strength] can keep climbing and his body gets stronger, I have hope for another attempt at valve replacement.

I'm still shocked and angry that nutritional supplements have never been mentioned in the 15 years I've been dealing with cardiologists. Surely they know about them. I have read through dozens of reports online of the benefits of them--Why haven't they?! Thank God for the online Doc's such as yourself, the valuable info would never make it out of a Doctor's office in Western Australia! I've had to leave my country for Stem Cell therapy and then implore overseas Doc's for advice and information. What does that say for the Australian Medical Profession? Not a lot! They put him in the position he is in yet don't want to help get him out.

I'm so very grateful to you, thank you and God bless.

Michaela

Taking Control Of Your Own Health

Michaela and Lee still face a long battle as though the stem cells have helped Lee tremendously, he is still far from perfectly healthy.  However, it is unfortunate that their battles have been with the doctors, rather than concentrating on Lee's heart.  I imagine there are many of you out there who face similar battles with your doctors who tell you to wait for the long term studies on adult stem cells to be done.  Unfortunately, many of us won't be alive to see the long term results of studies that haven't even started yet.  Do your own research - similar to what Michaela has done.  Be proactive and take control of your health- decide what is right for you. These days, with the internet, all the information is at our fingertips. 

Septo-Optic Dysplasia Is Treatable Now - With Adult Stem Cells

A young girl with Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD) can see for the first time after receiving stem cell treatment using cord blood stem cells.  Scarlett Birkmire, 3, from Maryland is further proof that people with Septo-Optic Dysplasia and Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) can be helped with adult stem cells.  Previously, before this stem cell therapy was available, people with these conditions were told by their doctors that "there is nothing that can be done" for their child.

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia and Septo-Optic Dysplasia Helped By Stem Cell Treatment

Scarlett's mother, Rachel first read about a new treatment for optic nerve hypoplasia and septo-optic dysplasia about 1 year ago using adult stem cells in China.  She did plenty of research and contacted multiple families who had previously been to China for the same disease and therapy. 

What Is Septo-Optic Dysplasia?

SOD and ONH are conditions in which the optic nerve fails to develop thus leaving the person blind or with severely limited vision.  Before this stem cell treatment in China was available, there was nothing that doctors could do to help.  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.

From the stem cell news article:

Two days after the first treatment, Birkmire and her mother noticed that when they went outside, Scarlett would shield her eyes, indicating to them she had light perception. "When we would go for a walk, she was looking up and around instead of looking down," which she typically would do. "She recognized when lights would turn on and off." Scarlett also became fascinated with a child's MP3 player with a small blinking blue light, holding the blinking light up to her eye for long periods of time.

"We spent so much time testing her, to see what she could do and couldn't do," Birkmire said, noting they videotaped some of Scarlett's reactions. "Movement was the next thing we noticed. I started to wave at her; now she waves to herself." Scarlett's crawling improved "because she had a purpose to moving. When you do things like put a toy somewhere, without making any sound or mentioning it, and she finds it ... it's impressive."

Birkmire said there were a lot of emotional moments during their 36-day stay in Qingdao.

Since returning home, Birkmire said Scarlett is a bit more active and has wanted to eat more. Until recently, Scarlett was on a liquid diet. Now she can eat pureed table food, similar to stage 2 or 3 baby foods. "In stores, she reaches for items on shelves, which she never did before. If it's within 2 feet, without hesitation, she finds what she wants."

Remaining optimistic, Birkmire knows it's difficult to test or assess just what level of vision Scarlett may have. Before treatment, Scarlett's right eye "wandered a lot. Now she can focus and (her eyes) can move simultaneously, something impossible for her to do before," Birkmire said, something Scarlett's ophthalmologist also observed during a recent eye exam.

Others Helped By Stem Cell Research Using Cord Blood Stem Cells

Others with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia or Septo-optic Dysplasia who have had similar stem cell success stories are Hayley Pelletier 

Hayley's mother says : It's been incredible," Pelletier said. "Basically, her whole quality of life was just bumped up 110 percent. She's so much happier.

Among many others, there is also Cameron Petersen.  Cameron's grandmother says :

By the third treatment, Cameron was standing on his own and crawling toward objects -- simple tasks he couldn't do before. Now, family members say he can see at least 10 feet, and is attending school.

"Cameron has made huge improvements," said Carol Petersen, the boy's grandmother. "There was nothing for Cameron before this treatment. Now, his world is limitless."

USA Protecting The Blind From Stem Cell Treatment

What is sad is that all these children have to go to China to get help.  The doctors in the USA will tell them there is nothing they can do and try to "protect" them from the new treatment in China by telling them it is unproven.  However, the only thing this accomplishes is to protect them from improving their eyesight.  Until the United States starts treating patients with adult stem cells, these kids will have to go to China and other foreign countries to get the right therapy to improve their quality of life.

Lung Disease Is NOT Untreatable!

Many patients with lung disease, be it COPD, Emphysema, or Pulmonary Hypertension are told by their doctors that their condition is untreatable other than some medication that will help control their symptoms.  Their doctors say that their lungs will never get better.  However, thanks to stem cell research using adult stem cells, lung disease patients now have a chance to improve their condition.

Glenna Irwin- Lung Diseases Kept Her From Singing

Take the case of Glenna Irwin.  Glenna has COPD, Emphysema, Pulmonary Hypertension, and bronchiectasis.  Glenna loved to sing in her church choir.  However, her list of lung diseases kept her so short of breath that she was unable to continue with her love. Even walking without becoming short of breath was too much for her. 

Stem Cell Therapy In The Dominican Republic

Then, Glenna found Dr. Zannos Grekos, a Florida cardiologist, who is also a Science Advisory Board member of the Repair Stem Cell Institute  who treats patients with their own adult stem cells in the Dominican Republic.  Glenna eventually went to the Dominican Republic for the treatment and therapy and she is happy she did.  From the stem cell news article:

Glenna believed that she may have found the answer to her “incurable” lung problems. Glenna noticed a big improvement in her condition two days later, when she was able to walk through the Miami airport without stopping for breath. A week later, she was able to sing in her church choir again. Just eight weeks later, her pulmonologist confirmed that her lung function was much improved.

Stem Cell Process Explained

1. Blood is drawn from the patient's arm, similar to a blood donation
2. The stem cells are then separated from the blood and then multiplied
3. Then, the adult stem cells are implanted into the pulmonary artery using a catheter in a noninvasive procedure- no surgery is needed!

Other Stem Cell Success Stories

We previously featured Barbara Mckean, a COPD, Emphysema patient who is now off oxygen thanks to this stem cell treatment.  Since a patient's own stem cells are used, there are no side effects from a person's own cells.  This is a safe therapy.  

Interested In Stem Cell Therapy?

If you are interested in stem cell therapy for COPD, Emphysema, Pulmonary Hypertension, or perhaps another disease or condition, please email me at don@repairstemcells.org and I will be pleased to assist you.

Stem Cell Research Responsible For Cure of Thalasemmia

A young child has been cured of his Thalasemmia after having a stem cell transplant taken from donated umbilical cord blood (adult stem cells).  Just two months ago, Harshil Nanda had B positive blood and a severe case of Thalasemmia.  Now, 2 months later, after the cord blood stem cells were implanted, Harshil has A + positive blood and no signs of Thalasemmia.

Stem Cell Transplant Changed His Blood Type

In other words, the cord blood stem cells "took over" his blood and changed his blood type completely.  The good folks at the Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI) are responsible for this success.  According to them, this was the second stem cell transplant they did using cord blood stem cells from unrelated donors to cure Thalasemmia.

From the stem cell article:

“This means that unrelated umbilical stem cell transplant can be termed as an established treatment. As they say, first success could be luck but second is science,” said director of bone marrow transplant department at GCRI Dr Sandip A Shah. The transplant was assisted by Dr Kinnari Patel and Dr Kamlesh Shah.

The first success story was of Rishi, a thalassemic major child from Kutch, who was cured by umbilical cord stem cells transplanted from an unrelated donor as he did not have siblings. Harshil is also the only child of his parents.

“While it took three months in Rishi for the donor blood cells to completely take over and change his blood group, Harshil has recovered within two months,” said Dr Shah.

Cord Blood Stem Cells Give Patients A New Option

This is more good news about stem cell research for Thalasemmia.  Before, a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor was the only cure for this terrible disease.  However, finding a matching donor is very difficult.  Now, with donated umbilical cord blood stem cells available, this will increase the chances of Thalasemmia patients getting a stem cell transplant that would most likely save their life.

More Stem Cell Pioneers

We previously featured this young girl, a stem cell pioneer who was cured of her Thalasemmia after receiving cord blood stem cells taken from her newborn brother's umbilical cord. 

Stem Cell Treatment Information

If you are interested in stem cell treatment information for Thalasemmia or perhaps another disease or condition, please write me an email at don@repairstemcells.org and put TREATMENT in the subject line.