I would like to update you on the stem cells progress for DMD.

As you know Giulio Cossu is working hard on it and we have good news since the first trial, conducted at the Scientific Institute San Raffaele in Milan and leaded by Giulio, started on march.

This study was funded by Parent Project onlus together with other funding agencies and represents the first attempt of an allograft transplantation of stem cells (mesoangioblasts) from a donor immunocompatibile (a brother…

This message is posted to help the community understand the diagnostic odyssey faced by Ryan B, a young man who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy long before genetic testing was reliable enough to identify the specific cause of his muscle weakness. With today’s fast-breaking PR announcements, promising medical advances to treat many forms of muscular dystrophy are being discussed at a dizzying pace. It is challenging for families to sort through the hype and excitement to determine…

The development of stem cell therapies is under threat in Europe due to a proposal by the European Court of Justice to ban patent protection for embryonic stem cell lines. You can comment on the proposal and sign the petition on the EuroStemCell website, just follow this link:

http://www.eurostemcell.org/stem-cell-patents

The Driven fan club was established for fans to truly be a part of Shea’s professional racing career. By joining Driven you can actually help keep Shea in the race seat and be a part of her professional career into stardom. It’s obvious that fans play a large role in the success of an athlete, and Shea wants…

My knowledge and my ignorance were highlighted over the past couple of months. 

We changed Orthotists.  Jonathan for many years wore custom made night splints and shoe inserts.  The new othotist explained to us how poorly made Jonathan’s old inserts and night splints were and how they really were not helping him. The night splints were heavy and caused his legs and feet to sweat.  The shoe inserts were not helping and caused his feet to come out of his shoes. All this time we…

It was a mere 5 months ago that I promised to write again soon - seems like only yesterday. But, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a balancing act, and we ended up on one side of the see-saw. We spent the last few months taking care of Gus - we bought a new house - one that's better for him (not perfect,but better). There are far fewer stairs and a flat lot.  While it seems like yesterday when I promised to write, the actual yesterday was Gus' birthday. He turned 6 and I had to write in…

Got in the cab at JFK yesterday, tossed my bags at the Indian driver with a few words about the address, while in the middle of a conversation with Kimberly to catch up on stuff. While dodging traffic and seemingly finding alternative routes into the city, I saw the driver looking back via his rear view mirror.  Just as Kimberly and I ended the conversation, he smiled and said "I have a new baby boy."  It felt a little random in a strange way, but then again, I also find the Indian culture a…

Spring is a wonderful season, although very short in my home state of Maine.  Winter seems to last forever and early spring teases us with a handful of sunny days amidst all the remnants of winter’s dreary gray before a sudden explosion of green late in April.  While the rest of the country complains of pollen and many have been cutting grass for weeks I am still raking winter kill from the lawn.  This year spring is extra…