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Stem Cell News
U.S. Citizens Denied at Home Leave Country for
Stem Cell Treatment
By Lisa Rosetta, The Salt Lake Tribune, May 27,
2007
Two years ago, Tori suffered brain injury when she
was caught up in a car accident. She was left
powerless to talk or walk, and her family decided to
do anything they could to help her be who she once
was. The opted for a trip to China for adult stem cell
therapy. It is now three months after her treatment,
and 16-year-old Tori can take a cookie out of her
father's hand. A task that would have only been a
dream prior to the stem cell treatment.
Tori's family is not alone with their frustration
and impatience towards U.S. scientists. The number of
American's the feel the U.S. is too sluggish in
determining whether stem cells are safe and effective
is growing, and to get treatment, more are leaving the
country as an alternative. Tori's family chose China
because of the limited options in the United States.
Tori's treatment consisted of acupuncture,
aggressive physical therapy, and 50 million adult stem
cells which were spread over a course of five
injection. The family paid $20,000 in advance for the
therapy.
Tori's father Tim says that it could take up to
eight months to see progress. Her last injection was
on February 12th. But already her chewing, eating, and
swallowing have substantially improved.
The family hopes for even more improvement in Tori,
who can now vocalize more and can finish of an entire
apple.
Tori was trapped underwater for about 20 minutes
when a car she was a passenger in rolled over and
ended up in a canal. It was June 2005, and 14 year old
Tori had dreams of becoming a Stanford educated
doctor. She enjoyed snowboarding and dancing.
Tori's story has helped other families to make the
decision to travel overseas. The website PrayForTori.com
prompted at least eight other families to make the
decision. On Utah girl who suffered brain injury due
to a car accident is currently at the same hospital in
China with her family at this very moment.
Tori's family plans to do another round of stem
cells therapy next year.
"It is the thing that will help (Tori) the
most eventually, I'm convinced of that," said
Tim, who urges increased funding for research.
"In the end, it's just going to help so many
people. I don't see how we can not do it."
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