Help my Dad Reverse his ALS
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8 years ago, my father was diagnosed with a motor neuron disease commonly known as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Recently the disease has been in the limelight with the viral ice bucket challenge, but I personally feel the campaign did not accurately bring to light the complexity and atrocity this disease truly entails.
ALS is defined as a progressive degeneration of the motor neurons of the central nervous system, leading to wasting of the muscles and paralysis. In layman's terms, this means the nervous system stops communicating with the muscles, resulting in loss of limb function and total muscle atrophy.
Over the course of three years, my father - once, and still, a highly respected professional drummer - slowly lost the use of his left arm, his right arm, his neck, his left leg, his right leg, and now his voice, which is beginning to diminish day by day. He spends his time bed ridden, where he meditates, prays and shares his wisdom with the ones he loves. If you've spent any time with this incredible man recently, you've had the privilege of seeing someone with a fierce and unwavering will to not only live, but thrive within the bounds of his unfortunate circumstances. I feel honored and inspired to have witnessed his journey.
We recently got in touch with some of the finest doctors and scientists in the world and have been approached with the opportunity to attempt stem cell treatment in hopes of prolonging, but also bettering the quality of his life. The US does not currently permit the type of stem cell treatment he would require, so we'll need to fly him via air ambulance to a facility located in a quiet town in Mexico, where he will then be administered healthy stem cells through his spinal chord. Once infused back in the body, these cells can be repopulated at the damaged areas of the brain and the spinal cord, through their strong paracrine effects and differentiate into lost neurons or other damaged supporting cells to improve voluntary functions of the body. As you can imagine, the flight and treatment (which requires 3 different sessions), are not cheap, nor covered under insurance.
We are not promised anything, but we are willing to take the steps necessary to just TRY. I want my father to walk me down the aisle, I want my father to get to meet his grandchildren, I want my father to grow old with the love of his life, and most importantly - I want my father to share his story with the world. We need a miracle but if anyone deserves one, it is this beautiful man. Any contributions would be profoundly appreciated.
God bless.
For more information about the facility we will be visiting, as well as how stem cells can improve ALS patients, please visit: http://amirastem.com/als/
ALS is defined as a progressive degeneration of the motor neurons of the central nervous system, leading to wasting of the muscles and paralysis. In layman's terms, this means the nervous system stops communicating with the muscles, resulting in loss of limb function and total muscle atrophy.
Over the course of three years, my father - once, and still, a highly respected professional drummer - slowly lost the use of his left arm, his right arm, his neck, his left leg, his right leg, and now his voice, which is beginning to diminish day by day. He spends his time bed ridden, where he meditates, prays and shares his wisdom with the ones he loves. If you've spent any time with this incredible man recently, you've had the privilege of seeing someone with a fierce and unwavering will to not only live, but thrive within the bounds of his unfortunate circumstances. I feel honored and inspired to have witnessed his journey.
We recently got in touch with some of the finest doctors and scientists in the world and have been approached with the opportunity to attempt stem cell treatment in hopes of prolonging, but also bettering the quality of his life. The US does not currently permit the type of stem cell treatment he would require, so we'll need to fly him via air ambulance to a facility located in a quiet town in Mexico, where he will then be administered healthy stem cells through his spinal chord. Once infused back in the body, these cells can be repopulated at the damaged areas of the brain and the spinal cord, through their strong paracrine effects and differentiate into lost neurons or other damaged supporting cells to improve voluntary functions of the body. As you can imagine, the flight and treatment (which requires 3 different sessions), are not cheap, nor covered under insurance.
We are not promised anything, but we are willing to take the steps necessary to just TRY. I want my father to walk me down the aisle, I want my father to get to meet his grandchildren, I want my father to grow old with the love of his life, and most importantly - I want my father to share his story with the world. We need a miracle but if anyone deserves one, it is this beautiful man. Any contributions would be profoundly appreciated.
God bless.
For more information about the facility we will be visiting, as well as how stem cells can improve ALS patients, please visit: http://amirastem.com/als/
Organizer
Sophia Xepoleas
Organizer
Pleasant Hill, CA