2010 WORLD STEM CELL SUMMIT
ALS WORLDWIDE is pleased to be receiving the Grassroots Advocacy Award at the upcoming World Stem Cell Summit, presented by Genetics Policy Institute. This event is being held on October 4-6, 2010 at the Detroit Marriot Renaissance Center. Also being honored is Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, recipient of the National Leadership Award for being a champion of stem cell research, targeting lifesaving treatments to alleviate human suffering and promoting Michigan's biotech industry. Philanthropist A. Alfred Taubman will receive the National Advocacy Award for his visionary leadership that has resulted in the establishment of the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute at the University of Michigan where innovative stem cell research is focused on developing treatments for ALS, cancer and many other medical conditions. The Canadian Stem Cell Network is receiving the Education Award for their extraordinary commitment to, and presentation of, stem cell information through public education. Laura Jackson, paralyzed in a cheerleading accident seven years ago, will receive the Inspiration Award for her tireless and effective advocacy for stem cell research.
We encourage you to attend the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit. Many speakers and presentations will focus on the extraordinary potential of stem cell therapy for those with ALS as well as advising on the most current advances already in use. A special rate has been obtained for persons with ALS and their caregivers of $295 for the full summit and attendance at the awards dinner for $75. This year's World Stem Cell Report includes an article co-written by Barbara and Steve Byer entitled:
A Patient's Path Through the Maze of Stem Cell Transplantation
Stephen is one of the presenters at the Summit and is preparing a far more in-depth book on this same subject. Copies will be made available to participants at the Summit. For more information and registration at the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit, please go to REGISTRATION at the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit.
METHYLCOBALAMIN B12 UPDATE
Dozens of patients are now on daily intramuscular injections of Methylcobalamin B12. We will be tabulating the results In approximately three months, comparing Baseline Reports against the 90-Day Follow up Report to help identify individual as well as group response. Results will be posted on the web page. Anyone who would like to participate in this program should email Stephen Byer as soon as possible. Complete information on how to obtain and use Methylcobalamin will be provided. Interesting to note, several United States and European ALS neurologists have already begun formal or informal testing as a result of ALSWW accumulation of information previously reported in the June 1, 2010 newsletter and posted on the website.
ISRAEL
On a more personal note, we will be in Israel during early August to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of our twin grandsons, Adam and Zachary Byer. At the same time, we will be visiting the laboratories and offices of BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Dr. Shimon Slavin at The International Center for Cell Therapy & Cancer Immunotherapy (CTC), Teva Pharmaceuticals and the Israel Stem Cell Society at the Weizmann Institute. If time permits, we hope to visit others as well. Our goal is to determine if any or all of the current Israeli protocols being developed or already in place are sufficiently impressive to recommend them to the ALS community.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT
After its use as a nutritional supplement by hundreds of ALS patients in the past two years at our suggestion, we are now able to fully endorse Nestle's Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink VHC Lactose Free (Very High Calorie). It is a much more efficient mix of fat/carbs/protein than Ensure (which is mostly cellulose filler-indigestible carbs), VHC delivers 560 calories per 8 oz can (more than twice as much as Ensure), and it even tastes like a good milkshake when served cold. You can supplement it even more by adding chocolate syrup and pureed strawberries and bananas which will further increase the caloric value. VHC can be used both orally and through a gastromy tube. The above link to Nestle's online store is the easiest way to get it. Nestle usually ships within a day and it should take another two days to arrive.
It is also available through any of these websites and is frequently less expensive from them: Amazon CVS Target Walgreens Carnation VHC is usually covered by insurance (both private and Medicare) and its insurance reimbursement code is B4152.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF ALS WORLDWIDE BY MAKING A DONATION TODAY.
Thank you,
Barb and Steve Byer
July 27, 2010 |
