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Stem Cell News
Sixth-grader's
essay personalizes benefits of adult stem cells
By Cecile San Agustin
Catholic
News Service
SPARTA, N.J. (CNS) -- In a recent essay on stem cells,
12-year-old Erik Massenzio managed to make the
church's teaching crystal clear: embryonic stem-cell
use is morally unacceptable, while adult stem-cell use
is acceptable and is saving lives now.
The sixth-grader was writing from personal experience
in "Adult Stem Cells Saved My Mom's Life,"
which took first place this year in a writing contest
sponsored by the Respect Life Committee at Our Lady of
the Lake Parish in Sparta.
Two years ago, Erik's mother, Hedy, was diagnosed with
leukemia. The outlook appeared bleak for her. But
through an adult stem-cell transplant, which the young
student describes in his essay, his mother was healed.
Today, Hedy Massenzio is cancer-free.
Erik said he "knew right away what to write
about" when he and his schoolmates in grades 6-8
at Rev. George Brown School in Sparta were asked to
write an essay on "How could a compassionate
Catholic be against embryonic stem-cell research and
yet support adult stem-cell research?"
"It was my mom that inspired me to write this
essay," he added.
"We were all very touched by his essay. I cried
and I knew of his mother's story," said Lucia
McKeeby, a member of the Respect Life Committee who
conceived the idea for the poster/essay contest. She
is also a fourth-grade teacher at Rev. Brown School.
"With such a complicated topic, he also made it
so simple. He made it easy for me to understand using
his own personal example," McKeeby told The
Beacon, newspaper of the Paterson Diocese.
In addition to using his personal experiences through
his mother's illness, Erik researched the material
giving scientific facts by stating the differences
between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. His
mom, who worked for a chemist, also knew information
about the subject.
In Erik's essay, he points out that embryonic stem
cells have yet to benefit humanity, but the benefits
of adult stem cells have already made their mark and
his mother is proof.
"It is very touching for me that Erik wrote
this," said Hedy Massenzio. "The whole
experience we went through was a learning experience.
I was just glad that he learned something."
While adult stem cells saved Hedy Massenzio's life,
Erik wants all to know that prayer is ultimately the
most important part of this journey. During his
mother's illness, the community of Our Lady of the
Lake showed immense support to the Massenzio family
through prayer.
"I was extremely sick and it was a really
frightening and trying experience for me and the
family," she said.
At one point, her illness was so advanced that doctors
told her to make final plans. Following that grave
news, a healing Mass was held for her and several
other parishioners struggling with illnesses.
During the Mass, many laid their hands over Hedy
Massenzio in hopes of healing her. The family was
extremely moved by the outpouring of love and support
by the parishioners and schoolchildren who attended
the Mass.
When Hedy Massenzio went to the doctor the next week,
he told her she was in remission and the time was
right for an adult stem-cell transplant to further
help her healing. Through the National Bone Marrow
Registry, she was able to find a match.
The donor was a 21-year-old man who lives in Colorado
and whom she has never met. "He had even
forgotten he was on the registry," she said.
"He signed up for it a few years ago for a
friend."
Through his stem-cell donation, Hedy Massenzio is now
completely healed. Finding a donor was a miracle in
itself but the Massenzio family has been given many
miracles by seeing firsthand how powerful prayer can
be.
Erik hopes his essay will help many more people
understand embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
"I'm just glad I could make other people
understand and I hope many more people get the
message," said Erik, who is considering becoming
a doctor or a writer.
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