Help needed: U.S. lags on adult spinal cord injury treatments
In 2007 I posted and updated on the hit-and-run motorcycle accident involving Dan McConchie of American United for Life.
Dan has emailed information and a request:
Friends,
As you know, I suffered a spinal cord injury 2 years ago and have no use of my legs. The most promising area of research to improve function in spinal cord patients is in the area of adult stem cells. But, as my friend Dr. David Prentice has said, treatments are not ready for prime time… yet.
There is great research being done. Unfortunately, thanks to the protective nature of the FDA, the best research being done on this is happening overseas. At this point, clinical trials in the US for spinal cord injuries may be years away.
You can help change this….
A researcher I know at MI’s Wayne State University, Dr. Jean Peduzzi-Nelson, has been working closely with Dr. Carlos Lima of Portugal. They have had some stunning results using adult stem cells in human patients over there. In the latest study just published a few days ago, 20 patients unable to move their legs received spinal cord surgery and an adult stem cell graft. 13 of them are now able to walk with various levels of assistance (walkers, braces, etc.)!
Dr. Peduzzi wants to get a clinical trial going here in the US using a new method of adult stem cell transplant that may not require the invasive and dangerous spinal cord surgery at all.
The Department of Defense has reviewed her work and has invited her research team to submit a proposal for funding. However, in order to be able to win a grant, Dr. Peduzzi’s team need to prove in advance that the non-invasive surgical technique is safe in animals. To do that, she only needs to raise $5k more.
Unfortunately, she is running out of time.
The DOD proposal deadline is soon and she needs to do the safety surgery no later than next month. If successful, this will enable clinical trials to begin much earlier than may happen otherwise. I have committed to Dr. Peduzzi to help her raise the last $5k she needs.
Can you help me make this research project happen? I would really appreciate any amount you are able to send.
Send your contribution directly to Wayne State University (and receive a tax-deductible receipt) by following the instructions below. I just ask that you let me know if you are sending a gift directly so we make sure we have raised enough money before the deadline. [JLS note: Do this by emailing me, and I will forward your email to Dan.]
Gifts need to be mailed no later than October 31.
Here’s how to help:
Checks should be made out to ‘Wayne State University’ with the words ‘Peduzzi Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund’ in the memo to ensure it is placed in the proper account. Mail to:Wayne State University Fund Office
5475 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202If you prefer, you can do a bank transfer:
Comerica Bank
PO Box 7500
Detroit, Michigan 48275 USA
ABA# 072 000 096
Swift Code: MNBDUS33
A/C: Wayne State University
Acct# 1840109159
Text: University Accounting Codes: Index = 221312; Fund code = 120HS and Account code = 54044Thank you! I very much appreciate your consideration of this request.
God bless.
Dan McConchie
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Few decades back I underwent a series of injections to overcome some of the many problems I acquired via my genetic disorder called Friedreich’sAtaxia. Although the cells used ‘to treat’ my disorder were ‘different’, the techniques applied to a large number of brain abnormal functions whether genetic or accidental in etiology. While this ‘treatment’ afforded great relief: [[went from walking 100’ max. to ¼ mile in a few weeks]], the improvements did not persist. Like our present-day stem cell treatments, these efforts are very promising initial results. There are some unusual features to gestational life that are unique to this period. So, in a way, we must still mime some of the generation milleau, before a ‘complete’ healing takes place.
Because there was a ‘gap’ in my treatment; it was not complete. I will give you Dan, an idea of a better approach, but it is theoretical. I am not at all financially wealthy, but hopefully this can be a guide.
STEM CELLS:
One of the continuing problems with stem cell research is that it presumes total novelty. Much regarding its use can be gleaned from a therapy developed in Germany called: zelletherapie. For instance: proteins are made up of 46 ‘bundles’ of amino acids (~~AFA-HDH-TET-MGM-~etc). The ‘sequencing of these ‘bundles’ is the code which cell fragments use to ‘know’ their target-organ.
All but two of sheep amino acids are identical with human amino acids, so they were selected as the main source of cell material. The cell source was freeze-dried (and pulverized) sheep fetal organ cells. The cells were re-hydrated and injected subcutaneously into the fat-cells of the lower back. [Any portion of the injection-material containing sheep-amino acids would be destroyed by the immune system. The remainder served as replacement/repair material for stressed human cells.]
PROGESTERONE:
There are many hormones we use in post-birth physiology but prenatal use of progesterone is discussed at ‘Progesterone Improve Outcomes from Brain Injury’ by Laurie Barclay MD ……. on research from Donald G. Stein PhD [This approach is very new to me, therefore I have not tried it. It remains a theoretical positive. The use of placental cell material with each zelletherapie treatment MAY induce many improvements accomplished via progesterone ????]
MAGNETIC HEALING:
By far, this aspect remains highly speculative. Apparently a woman’s womb alters its biological chemical hardware in such a way a magnetic field is formed specifically for pregnancy. One product may be http://www.earthpulse.net/
sorry Dan: the ‘progesterone’ article is found in the Nov-2009 issue of Life Extension Magazine.