It’s a first for Augusta. Georgia Health Sciences University is conducting the first FDA regulated trial using stem cells.

 

Doctors want to know if cord blood stem cells can help cerebral palsy.

 

There are 375,000 samples stored in the cord blood registry and sadly research shows, only 5% of Americans choose to save their umbilical cord blood. That means the other 95% is used as medical waste.

 

But one family from Detroit saved their daughter’s blood, and that may help her to walk again.

Meet 2-year-old Allison Thurman. The typical toddler enjoys playing with her toys but this little girl is part of a stem cell study.

“She’s been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. We saved her cord blood, when she was born, and the prior 2 visits, she received an infusion, and received her stem cells back,” said Michael Thurman.

 

Stem cell therapy involves taking healthy tissue from one area of the body and injecting it to the damaged areas. The Thurman’s stored Allison umbilical cord blood when she was born, and now those stem cells are re-infused in her body to help Allison’s condition.

 

“It was an opportunity to get her stem cells back and help heal her brain that was damaged at birth. The material goes through IV into her body,” said Thurman.

 

On Allison’s third visit Friday, doctors put her to the test making her crawl, kneel, stand up and walk.

“She can’t walk. Her lower muscles are very stiff,” said Erica Thurman.

 

 “So other than not being able to walk still, she’s a normal, funny little girl,” said Michael Thurman.

Doctors say the goal of the trial is to find out if cord blood stem cells can improve the course of cerebral palsy. Right now, doctors say the developments are in its early stages. But Allison’s parents say, they’ve already noticed some differences.

 

“We don’t know when she’ll be able to walk but we saw dramatic improvement in her speech, and graduated from speech therapy after coming home,” said Thurman.

 

Doctors say they’re trying to improve the condition of C-P even though the condition itself may not be cured. They say because this study is using Allison’s own cells, the risks are minimal. If someone else’s cells were used, there could be a serious reaction.

 

 

http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2011/nov/18/augusta-stem-cell-study-may-help-treat-cerebral-pa-ar-2724714/

 

 

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