Help Kasie Burtard - Recently Updated Pages

INDIA - the journey continues (Fall 2008) ...

CODivegirl — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:55:01 CDT

Kasie and I (yeh it's me again - Sonia) have returned to India for Kasie to receive additional stem cell treatment.

And as I'm sure you can all suspect we're trying to adjust to the 12 1/2 hour time change...life in India and certainly at NuTech again. And so far...well suffice it to say it's of course had its MOMENTS already; but right now we're actually off to the other hospital, just for the day, for Kasie's 1st procedure...so I'll catch you all up with more later...Namaste! Thursday 23/10/2008 - 10:47am

Okay, so to follow along on Kasie's journey this fall, please check out the following pages (the direct link from this page is not working - but if you click on the week in the scroll bar to the left you will go to the page):

Week One: October 20 - October 25, 2008
Week Two: October 26 - November 1, 2008
Week Three: November 2 - November 8, 2008
Week Four: November 9 - November 14, 2008

Patients of Dr. Geeta Shroff's stem cell therapy in India

CODivegirl — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:38:12 CDT

Dr. Geeta Shroff adheres to patient confidentiality regarding those who travel to Nu Tech Mediworld in Delhi India for her patent pending stem cell therapy. However, while here the patients regularly share their trials, tribulations and experiences and treatment.

The following are links to a few patients that have made their information public either via websites, blogs, newspaper articles or television regarding their stem cell treatment with Dr. Shroff. Some have similar accident related paralysis conditons; others are seeking treatment related to disease or degenerative conditions,etc.; see a few of their websites for contact information.

Amanda Boxtel (Colorado) http://amandaboxtel.wordpress.com

Perry Cross (Australia) http://www.perryx.com

Leah Potts (Colorado) http://leahpotts.com

Sonya Smith (Austrailia) http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=273191 or
.......................................... http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21557923-952,00.html

Rusty Leech (Colorado) http://rustywithoutwheels.com

Louis Miceli (Florida) http://www.loumiceli.com/

Louis Rowe (Australia) http://www.louisrowe.com and http://www.myspace.com/alineoflouis

Amy Scher (California) http://healthcarehacks.com

Ryan Mclean (Colorado) : http://www.ryanmcleanfund.blogspot.com/

Chris Oberle (California) : http://www.chrisoberle.blogspot.com/

Stem cell research funding in the US

CODivegirl — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:34:30 CDT

The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810) of 2005 and was reintroduced in 2007 and again vetoed by the president.

There is currently little federal legislation regarding the actual research of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) in the United States. The most recent federal actions only regulate the eligibility of this research for federal funding rather than the research itself.

In 2001, President George W. Bush ruled that federal funds may only be used for hESC research using specified pre-existing lines, now known as the ‘presidential’ hESC lines, and that no federal funds may be used to create new hESC lines.

The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (H.R. 810) was passed by the House of Representatives in May 2005 and the Senate in July 2006, but was rapidly vetoed by President Bush (July 2006). A two-thirds majority, or super-majority vote must follow in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to overturn a Presidential veto. This level of support was not garnered and the veto was sustained.

The limited number of formally listed cell lines derived before August 9, 2001 remain the only eligible lines for U.S. federal support. These stem cell lines, of which there are only 21 and their sub-clones are only available for use in federally funded research programs and to provide technical support to the hES cell research community. The National Stem Cell Bank distributes cells to researchers in academic and non-profit institutions worldwide.

In January 2007, H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, a reintroduction of the bill H.R.810, went before the House of Representatives. The bill was passed by the House on January 11, 2007 with a majority of 253-174. On April 11, 2007, the U.S. Senate voted 63-34 in support of S. 5, a variant of H.R. 3. While S. 5 differed slightly from H.R. 3 that passed the House in January, 2007, this particular version of the bill returned to and passed the House of Representatives in June, 2007. The legislation once again appeared before President Bush and was again vetoed and the restrictions to funding remain in place.

Despite limited legislation at the federal level, the issue of hESC research has been taken up individually by many states, and policies vary greatly across those states. Currently only the states of CA, CT, IL, MA, and NJ even permit research that is not federally funded. Other states continue to look at the feasibility of funding such research. And some states, such as AR, IN, ND, and SD have gone so far as to ban research.

Changes to US policy on hESC research:
THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________
For Immediate Release March 9, 2009 EXECUTIVE ORDER - - - - - - -
REMOVING BARRIERS TO RESPONSIBLE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN STEM CELLS
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Research involving human embryonic stem cells and human non-embryonic stem cells has the potential to lead to better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions. Advances over the past decade in this promising scientific field have been encouraging, leading to broad agreement in the scientific community that the research should be supported by Federal funds.

For the past 8 years, the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to fund and conduct human embryonic stem cell research has been limited by Presidential actions. The purpose of this order is to remove these limitations on scientific inquiry, to expand NIH support for the exploration of human stem cell research, and in so doing to enhance the contribution of America's scientists to important new discoveries and new therapies for the benefit of humankind.

Sec. 2. Research. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary), through the Director of NIH, may support and conduct responsible, scientifically worthy human stem cell research, including human embryonic stem cell research, to the extent permitted by law.

Sec. 3. Guidance. Within 120 days from the date of this order, the Secretary, through the Director of NIH, shall review existing NIH guidance and other widely recognized guidelines on human stem cell research, including provisions establishing appropriate safeguards, and issue new NIH guidance on such research that is consistent with this order. The Secretary, through NIH, shall review and update such guidance periodically, as appropriate.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 5. Revocations. (a) The Presidential statement of August 9, 2001, limiting Federal funding for research involving human embryonic stem cells, shall have no further effect as a statement of governmental policy.

(b) Executive Order 13435 of June 20, 2007, which supplements the August 9, 2001, statement on human embryonic stem cell research, is revoked.
BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 9, 2009.

What's New...

CODivegirl — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:28:13 CDT

UPDATE: March 9, 2009 -
President Barack Obama EXECUTIVE ORDER- - -REMOVING BARRIERS TO RESPONSIBLE SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN STEM CELLS

UPDATE: March 6, 2009 -
Obama to Lift Ban on Funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/06/AR2009030602285.html?hpid=topnews

UPDATE: January 28, 2009 - Exclusive Lecture – New Stem Cell Technologies for Spinal Cord Repair: Making Gains without Pain
Lecture: New Stem Cell Technologies for Spinal Cord Repair: Making Gains without Pain (Dr. Stephen Davies, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado, Denver School of Medicine)

Dr. Davies' research interests are primarily focused on investigating the molecular and cell biology of the traumatically injured adult central nervous system. His research team at UCDHSC is currently developing two, complementary approaches to repairing the injured adult CNS: 1.) suppression or removal of scar tissue to promote axon growth across sites of injury and 2.), development of neural precursor (stem cell-like) technologies to generate different types of central nervous system glia suitable for repairing the injured brain and spinal cord.

When: Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Time: Lecture begins at 5:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5:00 p.m.)
Where: Given Institute Auditorium link to Given Institute website
Cost: $20

UPDATE: January 23, 2009 - FDA approves clinical trial of Human Embryonic Stell Cell in the USA; for more information click here Stem Cell Research & Therapy

UPDATE: October 2008 - Kasie's in India for treatment; check out her current updates on our page INDIA - the journey continues (Fall 2008)

UPDATE: September 2008 - dates are set...just about a month left before Kasie is off to India again for another round of treatment

UPDATE: August 2008 - the "Thank you" night at the Aspen Spa and Club

UPDATE: July and August 2008 - Media Interviews continue for all the girls (Amanda, Leah, and Kasie)

UPDATE: July 2008 - Well we didn't win, but the extra attention generated by people visiting her site has been great!

UPDATE: July 9, 2008 - Kasie's website has been nominated for a "Heart and Soul" Award by Wetpaint.com

What it means, well Wetpaint just notified us that Kasie's website has been nominated for a "Heart and Soul" award, they searched the Wetpaint network and with over 1,000,000 sites to choose from, I'm sure this was no easy task. They used a combination of site data, community member nominations, as well as Wetpaint employee input to include Kasie's website as one of five in the "Heart and Soul" category, yeah!. So please be sure to vote for Kasie's website, because winner's will receive the added promotional efforts on Wetpaint.com's homepage and in their newsletter.

Great news for Kasie's website - and promoting infofmation about Kasie and Stem Cell Therapy...Kasie's website has been nominated for a "Heart and Soul" Award by Wetpaint.com to cast your vote please click here .

UPDATE: July 8, 2008 - new sensations in her thigh!!!!

UPDATE: July 3, 2008 - Kasie has a new home for her and Baylee

UPDATE: June 26, 2008 - Kasie travel to Las Vegas for the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Dr. Geeta Shroff as she presents her work on stem cell research.

Kasie standing without the aid of calipers, while Dr. Ashish Verma (Dr. Shroff's partner) looks on, and Sonia speaks on Kasie's behalf (Kasie was a little nervous if front of the large crowd present).

UPDATE: May 3, 2008 - Kasie arrived HOME in Colorado after completing her first trip to India...she's a bit tired and still has to catch up on her daily journal for her last week in India...she had an interview with Matt Renoux of 9 News/KUSA Denver on Monday

UPDATE: March 1, 2008 - Kasie arrived in India for her first go around of Stem Cell Therapy!

For daily updates on Kasie while in India please see " INDIA the journey begins..."

Media Updates about Stem Cell Therapy & Research

CODivegirl — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:42:42 CST

Stem Cell Therapy and Research continues to be a hot and controversial topic in the United States, as well as around the world.

As a result, there are often daily media stories that cover "what's happening" and new "breakthroughs" in treatments and/or research.

Stem cell topics range from Adult Stem Cells to Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

This page is by no means an attempt to link to all the reports being issued around the world, but periodically links to media sites and stories on what's being covered in the media about Stem Cell Therapy and Research will be added.

President Barack Obama to lift ban on federal funding for HESC research (03/06/09)
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/06/AR2009030602285.html?hpid=topnews
Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-stem-cells-2009mar07,0,4706070.story
New York Times:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/07/us/politics/07stem.html
FDA approves clinical stem trial in USA (01/23/2009) http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/23/stem.cell/index.html
FDA approves embryonic stem cell trial in humans (01/23/2009) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99800012&ft=1&f=1066
Bioethics and Obama administration (12/17/2008) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98387481
Stem cell breakthrough (10/18/2008) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081017164917.htm
A breakthrough, then a surge in stem cell research (10/13/2008) http://www.physorg.com/news143133581.html
Adult stem cell bill advances at the Capitol (CO) (03/31/2008) http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=89109
Scientists produce embryo clones of 2 men (01/17/2008) http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=84678
Scientists create beating heart with stem cells (01/14/2008) http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=84467
Stem cells may ease muscular dystrophy (12/12/2007) http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=82651
Evidence strong that new stem cell technique works (12/06/2007) http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=82330

Dr. Geeta Shroff - Nu Tech Mediworld in India

CODivegirl — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:34:21 CST

Dr. Geeta Shroff
Nu Tech Mediworld
Gautam Nagar, New Delhi India

Dr. Shroff, an infertility expert in in-vitro fertilization (IVF), branched into stem cell research in 2000. She has been the first to develop an infinite number of pure human Embryonic Stem Cell lines from using just one embryo. The same original embryonic stem cell line, which was established as a result of a patient donation in Dr. Geeta’s IVF work is still being used today.

Dr. Geeta’s in vitro patient and her husband conceived twin girls as a result of their egg and sperm ‘donations’ being combined in the lab in a petri dish. The petri dish was used to create potential embryos to be implanted in the womb of the woman; two of which were successfully implanted. Those two embryos both "took" successfully and as a result the woman conceived twin girls.

As per standard medical protocol, even in the United States, the remaining, unused embryos were considered biological surplus material. Options for the surplus embryos:

cryostorage ("freezing") of the unused embryos for future use by the patient;
destruction of the unused lab created embryo;
donation of the unused lab created embryo for research.

Once the patient and her husband decided they did not need the surplus embryos for future use, they decided to donate a single surplus embryo to Dr. Geeta Shroff to create a stem cell line for research and treatment.

A complex medical history, as well as genetic history was performed on the donor. Dr. Shroff's technology allows her to supply an unlimited source of pure human embryonic stem cells and has applied for a patent for her procedure. Dr. Geeta Shroff's Patent application

CONTACT DR. GEETA SHROFF

Dr. Shroff requests to first receive detailed e-mail (geetashroff@hotmail.com) description of your medical condition from history to present day. After her response, please call her directly on her mobile telephone below.

DR. GEETA SHROFF
Email: geetashroff@hotmail.com
Mobile Telephone: +91-9810061275
Dialing from the United States: 011-91-9810061275

Partnering Physician and Anesthesiologist:
Dr. Ashish Verma
Mobile Telephone for Dr. Ashish Verma: +91-9810156915

Nu Tech Mediworld (New Hospital)
Nursing Home
H-8, Green Park Extension
New Delhi – 110016
Telephone for Green Park Hospital: 64612855

Address for Original Hospital in Gautam Nagar:
Nu Tech Mediworld
487 – Hardev Puri
Near Father Agnel School
Gautam Nagar
New Delhi – 110049

Telephone for Gautam Nagar Nu Tech Mediworld:
Reception (Vandana is the receptionist)
26560089
26565548

Internet Website: www.nutechmediworld.net
Nu Tech Mediworld Facilities:
• Human Embryonic Stem Cell Treatment
• Fertility
• 24 Hour Laboratory
• In Vitro Fertilization (I.V.F.) Laboratory
• Operating Theaters
• Nursery
• Physio Therapy
• Pharmacy
• Nu Tech Mediworld, Green Park Extn.: 20-Bed Facility
• Nu Tech Mediworld, Gautam Nagar: 20 Bed Facility

Please see our link "Patients of Dr. Geeta Shroff's stem cell therapy in India" for links to other patients blogs about their experiences and treatment.

Kasie's Photos

CODivegirl — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:31:49 CST

Some old family photos…
for photos of time in India see India - the journey begins... and India - the journey continues...

Kasie and her brother, Ty.

Kasie and Baylee

Kasie and Elvis: 4H, summer 2001
Kasie and Bugsy - May 2002 (5 months after the accident)

See also: Videos

HELP KASIE go to INDIA

CODivegirl — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:46:06 CST

This website is dedicated to my friend Kasie Burtard, a 26 year old paraplegic since age 19. Click here to learn more About Kasie.

Kasie and her family and friends continue to raise money to help her receive additional Stem Cell Therapy in India.

Kasie first traveled to India for 2 months of Stem Cell Therapy on February 29, 2008, check out our webpage INDIA - the journey begins... for details on her first round of treatment.

Kasie returned to India in October of 2008 for another month of Stem Cell Therapy, check out our webpageINDIA - the journey continues... for details on her second round of treatment.

See ""How to Donate" and ""How to Help - Fundraising Events" for information on how to help make Kasie's dream of walking again come true.

Stem cell treatment is such a controversial/political topic in the USA that it is often very disheartening not only to the people who could benefit from it, but also to their friends and family who must sit by and know they can’t receive such treatment here in the USA. To hear about people who have and are willing to travel to the ends of the earth for the mere promise/hope of getting results, any kind of results even, is a cause for all of us to realize that these folks need OUR help to get them the help they need and to get them to the places that do offer these experimental and innovative treatments. Learn more about Stem Cell Research and Treatment under ""Stem Cell Research & Therapy" .

Click here to DREAM BIG

website developer and administrator: Sonia Marzec codivegirl@gmail.com

Videos

CODivegirl — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:42:57 CST

How to Help - Fundraising Events

CODivegirl — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:46:24 CST

FUNDRAISERS and UPCOMING EVENTS

Please check back for upcoming events.

If you are interested in organizing and/or hosting an event to help Kasie's fundraising drive please contact Sonia at codivegirl@gmail.com

AUGUST 12, 2008 - Pursuing Possibilities Celebration - THANK YOU!
WHAT: Celebration and Benefit to raise awareness for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy (in India);
To Benefit NTAF Midwest/West Spinal Cord Injury Fund
In Honor of Kasie Burtard, Leah Roland and Amanda Boxtel
WHEN: TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2008
TIME: 5 TO 8 P. M .
WHERE: Aspen Club & Spa - outdoor deck
Food provided by Garnish Cafe
Live Music
EVENT CONTACT PERSON: Casey McConnell, Aspen Club and Spa Marketing (970) 920-5820

Donations toward Kasie, Leah & Amanda for their ongoing HESC treatment are encouraged.
Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. This fund is administered by the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing assistance to transplant and catastrophic injury patients. NTAF information 800-642-8399.

FEBRUARY 15, 2008 - what a success - thank you to all!
What:Sweethearts Ball and Silent Auction for our local Sweetheart
(5 course surf & turf dinner, music, dancing, and Silent Auction)
When: Friday, February 15, 2008
Auction 5pm - 830pm
Dinner seatings: 6pm and 8pm
Where: Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District Headquarters, 300 Meadowood Drive/Hwy 133, Carbondale, CO
Cost: $75 per COUPLE; $40 per person; must specifiy which seating 6pm or 8pm
Dress: Cowboy Formal
Music: Dan Ford; and Heart of the Rockies (Twirp Anderson, John Summers, Cash Cashman)

Tickets are limited...SO HURRY AND GET YOURS NOW....on sale at the following locations in Carbondale:
Aspen Sotheby's
The American Legion Auxilary
Big Mama's Catering
Carbondale Fire Department
Claddagh Irish Pub
The Pour House
Sounds Easy

To help with or donate to the dinner for the Sweetheart Ball, call Kathy “Big Mama” Ortiz (970) 963-2432 or 618-6443.
Big Mama's Catering is looking for experienced servers for 1 or both seatings....consider volunteering a few hours of your time to a worthy
cause.

To help with or donate to the Silent Auction, call Linda Slack at Amoré Realty 963-5177 or Sonia Marzec at CDOW 948-3334
Linda and Sonia are still soliciting and accepting silent auction items and/or gift certificates, feel free to give them a call if you
have something you'd like to donate.

Cash donations can be sent to: The India Fund for Kasie! or Send Kasie to India Fund
c/o Kasie Burtard c/o Aspen Sotheby's
PO Box 1305 711 Main Street
Carbondale, CO 81623 Carbondale, CO 81623

other ways to donate can be found on this sites web page "How to Donate"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DECEMBER 18, 2007
What: The Aspen Club and Spa 30 year Anniversary Party - to benefit Stem Cell Treatments.
10 years ago Challenge Aspen was the beneficiary of our grand opening night and at that time Amanda Boxtel was the director. This year we are proud to announce we will be supporting individuals in the community who are undergoing Stem Cell treatments.

Amanda Boxtel who recently returned from India with incredible results will be one of the individuals going back to India in January. Leah Roland will be going for the 1st time in the spring and Kasie Burtard will be going as soon as she can.
When: December 18, 2007; 7:00pm - close

Where: The Aspen Club and Spa 1450 Ute Avenue, 925-8900
Cost: Free to the public with a suggested donation. Food, drinks,live auction and music.
MORE INFO: http://www.aspenclub.com/modules/main/content.php?id=11&pid=0

A thank you from CEO Michael Foxhttp://www.aspentimes.com/article/20071224/LETTER/67940112

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DECEMBER 16, 2007

What: Poker Tournament
When: December 16, 2007; 2:00pm
Where: Jimmy's Restaurant Aspen

Stem Cell Policy: World Stem Cell Map

CODivegirl — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:32:21 CST

Disclaimer Countries colored in brown represent about 3.5 billion people, more than half the world's population. All have a permissive or flexible policy on human embryonic stem cell research and all have banned human reproductive cloning. Population: M = million.

Australia - 20.3 M
Belgium - 10.4 M
Brazil - 188 M
Canada - 33.1 M
China - 1,314 M
Czech Republic - 10.2 M
Denmark - 5.4 M
Estonia - 1.3 M
Finland - 5.2 M

France - 62.8 M
Greece - 10.7 M
Hong Kong - 6.9 M
Hungary - 10 M
Iceland - .3 M
India - 1,045 M
Iran - 69 M
Israel - 6.4 M
Japan - 127 M

Latvia - 2.3 M
The Netherlands - 16.5 M
New Zealand - 4.1 M
Portugal - 10.6 M
Russia - 146 M
Singapore - 4.5 M
Slovenia - 2.0 M
South Africa - 44 M
South Korea - 40.4 M

Spain - 40.4 M
Sweden - 9 M
Switzerland - 7.5 M
Taiwan - 23 M
Thailand - 65 M
Turkey* - 70 M
United Kingdom - 60.6 M

Map Explanation

"permissive" = various embryonic stem cell derivation techniques including somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), also called research or therapeutic cloning. SCNT is the transfer of a cell nucleus from a somatic or body cell into an egg from which the nucleus has been removed. [Options 4 & 5 in Walters, LeRoy, in References, below] Countries in this category include Australia, Belgium, China, India, Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom and others. [Walters, LeRoy, National Academy of Sciences, 2004; University of Minnesota, 2007. See References, below] These countries represent a global population of more than 2.7 billion people.
"flexible" = derivations from fertility clinic donations only, excluding SCNT, and often under certain restrictions. [Option 3 in Walters, LeRoy, in References, below: "Research is permitted only on remaining embryos no longer needed for reproduction."] Countries in this category include Brazil, Canada, France, Iran, South Africa, Spain, The Netherlands, Taiwan, and others. [Walters, LeRoy, National Academy of Sciences, 2004; University of Minnesota, 2007. See References, below] These countries represent a global population of more than 700 million people.
Restrictive policy or no established policy. For restrictive policy see Options 1 & 2 in Walters, LeRoy in References, below. Restrictive policies range from outright prohibition of human embryo research to permitting research on imported embryonic stem cell lines only to permitting research on a limited number of previously established stem cell lines. Countries with a restrictive policy include (among the most restrictive) Austria, Ireland, Norway, Poland, (among the less restrictive) Germany, Italy, and the United States.
Map is designed to reflect national policy and whether or not public funds may be used to pursue stem cell research using IVF embryos donated from fertility clinics.
The black dots show the locations of some of the leading genome sequencing research centers. Most U.S. centers are those that have been involved in the Human Genome Project. The genome sequencing centers are meant to indicate the level of scientific infrastructure and not whether stem cell genomic studies are being conducted at a given center. The dots are linked to center web sites.
California in the U.S. supports embryonic stem cell research through Proposition 71, a $3 billion bonding initiative that is projected to provide about $300 million in stem cell research funding annually for 10 years. Approved by California voters Nov. 2, 2004, Proposition 71 establishes a state constitutional right to pursue stem cell research, including through SCNT or research/therapeutic cloning, and prohibits funding of human reproductive cloning research. California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Map is a Mercator projection that exaggerates the size of areas far from the equator. * Turkey is among several countries in which no specific regulations and guidelines have so far been defined by legal or governmental institutions for human embryonic stem cell research. Dr. Necati Findikli of Istanbul Memorial Hospital reported the first known derivation of human embryonic stem cells from donated blastocyst-stage embryos in Turkey in 2005. Reproductive Medicine Online 10 (5), 617-627, 2005

Links to Stem Cell information

CODivegirl — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:12:36 CST

There are a great many websites that provide very detailed information on stem cell research, therapies, and the controversy surrounding the topic. Therefore we will not try to re-create this knowledge base on this website. However, we have listed several links to help you learn more about this topic.

National Institute of Health: Stem Cell Research http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics3.asp

Wikpedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embryonic_stem_cell

Healing Therapies http://www.healingtherapies.info/hESC.htm

International Society for Stem Cell Research http://www.isscr.org/about/index.htm

Stem Cell Rescources http://wwwstemcellresources.org/index.html

Agence-France Presse http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jQvGT1KE_HUrgPXNx6h2KRH7Zykw

Voice of America http://voanews.com/english/2007-12-19-voa18.cfm

University of Colorado, Denver School of Medicine, Department of Neurology http://www.cuneurosurgery.com/research-davies.htm

The National Academies Press http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11278

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) AAAS policy brief: stem cell research

FDA approves Human Embyonic Stem Cell clinical trial in USA - January 2009

CODivegirl — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:38:09 CST

FDA approves human embryonic stem cell study

Human stem cell research could begin as early as this summer
Researchers will test whether the cells are safe to use in spinal injury patients
Federal funds were blocked for embryonic stem-cell research until August 2001

By Miriam Falco CNN Medical News Managing Editor (CNN) -- Federal regulators have cleared the way for the first human trials of human embryonic stem-cell research, authorizing researchers to test whether the cells are safe to use in spinal injury patients, the company behind the trials announced Friday.

Embryonic stem cells are blank cells found in embryos, which have the ability to turn into any cell in the body.

The tests could begin by summer, said Dr. Thomas Okarma, president and CEO of the Geron Corporation. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the trials, which will use human stem cells authorized for research by then-President George W. Bush in 2001. The patients will be those with the most severe spinal cord injuries, called complete spinal cord injuries. "A complete spinal cord injury has no hope of recovery below the injury," Okarma told CNN. "This is significant because it's the first clinical trial of a human embryonic-based product." The primary purpose of the trial will be to see whether injecting these cells into patients is safe, but Okarma said researchers will also look for any signs of recovery. Scientists will monitor the patients for a year after the injections to see if they are regaining any function below the injured point. "If there is any movement below the injury, they will measure that and record it," he said.

Don't Miss

The trials will involve eight to 10 patients who are completely paralyzed below the third to tenth vertebra, and who sustained their spinal cord injury within seven to 14 days. The tests will use stem cells cultured from embryos left over in fertility clinics, which otherwise would have been discarded. Using the stem cells, researchers have developed cells called oligodendrocytes, which are precursors to nerve cells and which produce a protective layer around nerve cells known as myelin. Researchers will inject these nerve cells directly into the part of the spine where the injury occurred.

Embryonic stem cells are blank cells found in four- to five-day-old embryos, which have the ability to turn into any cell in the body. However, when stem cells are removed, the embryo is destroyed -- which has made this one of the most controversial medical research fields in the past decade.

Federal research funds were prohibited for embryonic stem-cell research until August 2001, when Bush approved spending for research using only already-existing cell lines. Scientists later discovered that fewer than two dozen of those lines were useful for research, but abortion opponents opposed any legislation that would lift Bush's restrictions, and Bush twice vetoed congressional efforts to roll back his rules. President Obama is expected to loosen the restrictions, which many researchers and advocates have complained severely set back work toward curing disease such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes.

Okarma said Geron did not use any federal funding for its research, and that the Bush restrictions had "devastated the field." "People didn't think this would happen for another five years," Okarma said. "But it will happen soon, and it would have happened sooner if it weren't for the ridiculous Bush policies." Geron owns patents on and licenses the procedure to make these stem cell lines. The company spent $45 million of its own to produce everything required to get approval for the upcoming trial, Okarma said. At least two other companies have said they plan to begin conducting embryonic stem-cell tests in humans, but only Geron has received FDA approval. Another U.S. company, Reneuron, plans to conduct trials involving stem cells taken from fetal tissue in Britain this year. Other companies have developed stem cells from adult tissue, sidestepping the controversy.

In addition to producing stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries, Geron says, it has seven other types of cells derived from stem cells in its pipeline. Okarma said FDA scrutiny was stringent, and that researchers studied the cells in petri dishes and in animals before obtaining permission to test them in humans.

Getting approval was made harder and took longer because the FDA had no other peer-reviewed research outside of Geron's to consult as it reviewed the proposal, he said.

The trials are not expected to start until summer, because many of the preparations could not begin until Geron had FDA approval, Okarma said. Researchers have to be educated about how to use the stem cells, how to prepare their laboratories for the research and how to read all the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the patients in the same way.

"We [also] have to train surgeons how to inject the stem cells," Okarma explained. His company even developed a device that is mounted to the operating table to help surgeons inject the stem cells.

Geron still has to select the four to seven sites for the clinical trials, Okarma said. The first human embryonic stem cells were developed by Jamie Thomson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998

Stem Cell Research & Therapy

CODivegirl — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:19:10 CST

Embryonic Stem Cells [hESC] are important to medicine because of their ability to develop into virtually ANY other cell made by the human body. Basically, the hESC searches out, detects and then attempts to repair any damage or deficiency it discovers. It also releases growth factors, which stimulate the body's own repair mechanisms. Additionally, hESC release Cytokines which are hormone-like polypeptides that regulate cellular replication, differntiation, and activation. Cytokines bring normal cells and tissues to a higher level of function, thereby increasing the body's own healing mechanisms. So, not only a theory anymore; stem cells are being grown and their development directed in culture, it is now possible to grow cells of medical importance such as bone marrow, neural tissue or muscle. Stem cells have the potential to treat or cure many diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Stroke, as well as Spinal Cord Injuries and burns and much more.

Please visit some of the links on our "Links to Stem Cell Information" page.

Dr. Geeta Shroff of Nu-Tech Medical World, New Delhi, Inda will be performing Kasie's stem cell therapy. Dr. Shroff receives both criticism and accolades for her innovate and pioneering procedures. All cells that have been transplanted into her patients were derived from a SINGLE, surplus fertilized egg from Shroff’s in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) program. Developed with donor permission, this fertilized egg would have been disposed of under normal circumstances.

For more information about Dr. Geeta Shroff please visit this sites web page "Dr. Geeta Shroff - Nu Tech Mediworld in India".

FDA approves hESC clinical trial

Week Four: November 9 - November 14, 2008

CODivegirl — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:41:58 CST

DAY 20: SUNDAY, November 9, 2008

Another Sunday in India, and as you probably already guessed - there is no PT on Sundays. So, we “slept in” since we had a fairly late night out for what we’ve been used to here in India, and the pollution from yesterday really seems to have taken a toll on us this morning. We had a leisurely morning about the hospital and then we had a short afternoon out and about Dilli Haat - to just get out of the hospital for a bit. It was not quite as smoky as yesterday, but still plenty bad for what we’re used to back home. Kasie not feeling it as much, but it sure makes me feel asthmatic.

DAY 21: MONDAY, November 10, 2008

So just how bad is the pollution here in Delhi? Well, let me tell you…according to the paper today it’s bad. 30% increase in cases of asthma as a result; and long term exposure of course can lead to all sorts of respiratory problems – the # killer here is in fact lung cancer. The air “standards” that are in place are not even close to being met in fact, less than 36% of the time are they met. Sheesh. So despite the CNG – compressed natural gas and the “cleaner” diesel they have here, there is plenty of SO, NO, CO and CO2 floating around. And with millions of vehicles on the road, averaging 1000 new ones a day…and all the industry and burning that goes on…well it’s no wonder air pollution is such an issue. Turns out this weekends levels were ridiculously high…I kid you not - 175% of what it should be…ehgads…can’t wait for that fresh mountain air!

Anyway, back to Kasie…this mornings PT session had Kasie going through her standard exercises and stretches, she continues to have some pain in her left hip. It’s not quiet “all” the time, but every once in awhile it will “pop” and then after that certain movements cause her to feel some discomfort as well as pain, even into her back at just about her level of injury. After all the other exercises and stretching she also stood without her calipers for about 10-15 minutes in the parallel bars and then with the walker.
A quick power “rest” and some lunch and Kasie’s back down to PT for her afternoon session.

The internet is problematic at best here…and I’ve been having issues with the website when it’s up…still can’t upload stuff to it right now, and just had an email that the links to the video’s previously posted aren’t working…not sure why. So might take some time to get it all straightened out…sorry for any inconvenience.

DAY 22: TUESDAY, November 11, 2008

So this morning we thought Kasie was going to have her final procedure; so they worked her quite hard in PT. Her back has been in a lot of ‘pain’ the past several days, and today there was actually a discernable bruise where she had her last procedure. Dr. Geeta checked her out and then Shivani did some ultrasound on the spot. It felt slightly better afterwards and Kasie returned to the PT room for her standing and walking exercises. In fact it was a very exciting day in that this was the first time that Kasie walked WITHOUT her calipers. Dr. Geeta wanted to see how much leg strength she has gained. So initially she had Kasie just standing in the parallel bars like she normally does without her calipers – and of course the cowboy boots, a trademark for sure! But then she had Shivani in front of Kasie to help lock out her knees if need be, and me behind her, to catch Kasie should she fall…so sorry no pictures I was a little preoccupied. Anyway, she did it…Kasie was able to take several steps without her calipers. Yes, very exciting, but let’s all temper this with the reality of it all; it doesn’t mean she’s ready to go out walking without them, but it is an indication that with time and a great deal of continued hard work it may be possible to take more and more steps without the calipers. Then Dr. Geeta had Kasie try it again with one leg in a caliper and one leg without; and then switch legs – this will help her legs get used to that movement without the caliper while taking a step, and give her a little added stability by having one leg in a caliper.

pending upload of walking without caliper photos

Anyway, this is difficult exercise as you can imagine…and will take time, and of course someone to be able to help Kasie practice this one at home.

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Lao Tzu

After PT we found out that they delayed her procedure until tomorrow actually, because she’s had a toothache for the last several days that they have been treating with an antibiotic and pain killer…and wanted to be sure that was “cleared” up before the procedure. Option of going to a dentist here in India – yeah out of the question...she has an appointment with hers next week. Kasie’s afternoon PT was fairly light in comparison to this morning because of how hard she worked this morning and her back being so sore.

DAY 23: WEDNESDAY, November 12, 2008

Upon concentration Kasie was able to slightly move her middle toe on her right foot this morning…oh yeah she forgot to mention it to me until today, but yesterday morning she had been able to move her big toe a bit too. Nice!

After PT it was off to Gautam Nagar for Kasie’s last procedure(s) this trip. The expectation is that she will once again be receiving two procedures at the same time today.

Kasie did indeed have two procedures today. An epidural and a DSM – deep spinal muscle injection…she hasn’t had that one before. Kasie said could feel the injections and the burning sensation during the procedure…and once again her back is quite uncomfortable…all this pain and discomfort she is feeling in her back now is a double edged sword. Kasie is now feeling these sensations below her level of injury, an area she previously could not feel these sensations. So it is “good”, in the sense that some progress is being made and some sensations are returning as a result of the stem cells reconnecting neural pathways; “bad” in the sense that the poor girl is in pain quite a bit now…and when the pain subsides, there is the residual discomfort that is constant. How very frustrating for her. Oh, Kasie said that when Dr. Ashish had her in the OT, he put a piece of paper between her toes and then had her concentrate on her feet and moving her toes and she was able to see the slight movement as the paper moved too. So after her procedures it was an afternoon at the fun and exciting Gautam Nagar…very loud today. That place not only always seems dark and dank…but it seems so hollow. Every noise throughout the entire place can be heard which can be extremely frustrating for a patient who is trying to rest and not move for 5 hours. Talk about sensory overload.

Back to NuTech after a quick sidetrip to Khan market for a few necessities, like food.

DAY 24: THURSDAY, November 13, 2008

Sisters have been coming in this morning to give stem cell injection, check BP and to find out – is Kasie really leaving today? They all seem surprised that Kasie is leaving already…and all say they are sad to see her go.

After 4 weeks in India and at NuTech, and 6 actual procedures, two of which were doubles, some great progress in physical therapy, it’s time to come home.

Kasie will have two more PT sessions today. We’ll pack, and then of course say our goodbyes to friends – patients and staff, alike. And then this evening we’ll be on our way for the long trip home…

So a final wrap up of this day...and the entire trip in a day or so...and I'll fix the video uplinks, etc. once we get home...mere words cannot describe what she experiences here, and what I have been able to witness in her and the other patients here...

Anyway, thanks for tuning in, your continued support, and following Kasie's incredibly amazing journey here in India...

Namaste!

Week Two: October 26 - November 1, 2008

CODivegirl — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:29:02 CST

DAY 5: SUNDAY, October 26, 2008

No PT today because it is Sunday.

However, Kasie received her twice daily stem cell injections.

A day of catching up on stuff around here and with other patients.

DAY 6: MONDAY, October 27, 2008

Tough night sleeping for Kasie, it's getting louder and louder as Diwali approaches. Fireworks going off at all hours of day and NIGHT mostly - even though they are only supposed to be set off between 6pm and 10pm, and not near hospitals. Yeah, right. Her sleep schedule is still off, and this isn't helping.

Super smokey this morning too. Burning is heavy today, actually woke both of us this morning about 430am.

She already has had her morning stem cell injection, and is now waiting to go to PT. Today there will only be a 1/2 day of PT, because the staff has 1/2 day because of Diwali tomorrow. There is to be a Diwali celebration this afternoon for patients and staff here at the hospital.

Since there was only one PT session today because of Diwali, it was an extended session. Kasie worked with Shivani on her stretches; and while Shivani was stretching both Kasie’s legs, Kasie was able to feel some deep stretching in her quads. It was a much stronger sensation on her right leg. She can feel it when Shivani is pushing Kasie foot up towards her hip. Kasie also worked on her core strength and upper body exercises, by doing crunches and push ups. Once she was all warmed up it was time to walk. Once again she walked from the bed with her walker. The PT room is becoming a very busy place these days, and the parallel bars were taken. So Kasie was walking around the room and out into the hall.

As she was heading out, Dr. Shroff was watching her and stopped Kasie. She was absolutely delighted at how well Kasie was walking (me too). Kasie is very stable, very strong, has good hip movements…so well in fact that Dr. Shroff told Kasie she should seriously consider ditching the chair. Geeta wants Kasie to consider that when she comes to and from PT to come with a walker instead of her chair; or to wander the hall a bit with the walker instead of her chair; to help build up her strength. So Kasie was up to the challenge today, she walked on out of the PT room, and onto the elevator – which can be a trap sometimes around here because it generally doesn’t stay open long enough to get in, even if your holding the “open doors” button. But on she went, and up to our floor, off the elevator and down the hall to her buddy Elaine’s room to surprise her. Julie and Elaine were both thrilled to see Kasie had walked to visit them. Anyway once there, Kasie was pretty tired. It had been a long walk, on top of all her PT. She looked fantastic though…what a great job!

You Tube Video Link Kasie walking with walker 10-27-2008
You Tube Video Link Kasie walking & talking with Dr.Geeta Shroff
You Tube Video Link Kasie walking in hallway after PT

A quick lunch and then back downstairs to celebrate Diwali with the other patients and staff.

Diwali (Deepavali), is a major Indian holiday known as the “Festival of Lights." It is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika, (the new moon) which can be in either October or November. Homes and business are decorated with lights, candles and bright colors and flowers. The lights signify the victory of good over the evil within every human being. In Sanskrit “deep” = lamp and “avalii” = row.

There are many aspects why this day is significant and a cause for celebration. The birth of the Goddess of Wealth, Prosperity and Luck – Lakshmi and also the killing of Narakasura, an evil demon who created havoc are just two. Diwali also marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Prays of thanks for a bountiful season, as well as prays for a good harvest next season are offered. Lakshmi Puja is performed to seek the blessings of Lakshmi who brings with her prosperity, wealth and fulfillment.

Diwali gifts are exchanged among all near and dear ones; and Dr. Geeta and her husband Ashok gave tea and incense to all the patients and their caregivers.

After the celebration, Kasie and Elaine went downstairs to the PT room and got some additional exercise by tossing around the exercise ball.

Fireworks started early and the afternoon and continued through the night.

DAY 7 - TUESDAY October 28, 2008

Happy Diwali...most of the staff is off today for the celebration of Diwali, so no PT.

Kasie had her injections today and wandered around the hospital a bit today just to get out.

All day long fireworks were going off, but once the sun went down, they really got started. Fireworks EVERYWHERE. In the streets...a great display we could see from the room. Elaine and Kasie sat on Kasie's bed and watched the street for hours. The fireworks displays, including the ones being set off right below us by staff and some of the Aussie caregivers that are here were quite exceptional in fact. Finally around 3am most of it stopped. Tough night to sleep for sure.

DAY 8 - WEDNESDAY, October 29, 2008

This morning as I was on a walk with one of the other caregivers, the streets were empty, riddled with remnants of the fireworks...and still very smoke filled, and not just from the normal burning, there was a heaviness in the air from all the fireworks. The nice thing though, was there was hardly anyone out like normal (even at 530am).

Right now Kasie's getting ready for morning PT. And I'm just catching up the website...had issues yesterday with the connection.

So, Kasie’s morning PT went really well. She of course did the normal array of stretches and core strengthening exercises. And today when she walked to the parallel bars, she actually walked up the ramp herself for the first time; a little tricky since there is a lip off the floor to get over and onto the ramp. So she had to lift her legs a little higher and shift her wait a little more to do it. Shivani was trying to help her, and Kasie told her she wanted to do it herself, and she did. Then Kasie continued with walking in the parallel bars, both forward and backwards, and of course the dreaded sidestepping. But that does help her a lot with the weight shifting, so it is really a good exercise for her.

You Tube Video Link Kasie ramp and parallel bars

During afternoon PT, Kasie did some more floor exercises. CAT and CAMEL are stabilizing exercises from the kneeling position. Think of kneeling and keeping your back straight…CAT; then go into CAMEL by hunching your back up. Both can be somewhat trying exercises for someone with and SCI at T8, T9, and T10, but they help with core strength and stability. And since Kasie has had these exercises since her first treatment last spring, Shivani has now added some new things to these exercises. Now Kasie is also to rotate her hips in both directions (right / left) while going between the two positions. Some other knew things that were added to Kasie’s PT repertoire today include kneeling upright, kneeling and doing arm extensions, and now squatting.

DAY 9: THURSDAY, October 30, 2008

Morning PT, Kasie’s sidestepping was great today. As PT was ending, they came to tell us that Kasie’s procedure was moved up from noon to - NOW. So we had to rush upstairs to get all our stuff together for a day over at the other hospital. Food, water, movies, blanket, etc…

Small room today at the Gautam Nagar, no window and a little dark, which was actually good since the lack of sleep from all the fireworks the past few days has really caught up to Kasie. Today’s procedure was another caudal. This one was lower than her first caudal procedure last week. This one was at tailbone.

During the procedure Kasie had stomach spasms below her belly button, so they had to hold her down. She didn’t feel the injection this time, however, she could feel the pressure as Dr. Ashish was pressing on and around her tailbone. Kasie was given two bricks again under the foot of the bed and was told she couldn’t eat for an hour, and not to move for 5 hours. Since she was so tired anyway, it wasn't that tough an order. After her hour was up and she could eat, she did…and then she slept for awhile. I made my way back to NuTech for the plumber, again – who was supposed to be there at 2pm to fix the shower (this., mind you is the 3rd guy coming on it). No plumber showed up, go figure; so I left our room key with Julie, because no staff personnel are allowed to enter the rooms if the patient or caregiver are not there, not even for maintenance because there have been issues in the past with theft. Anyway, I wasn’t going to wait around on the plumber, so I headed back to Gautam Nagar and Kasie. She had about an hour and ½ left til she could move. Once she could move and sat up, she felt fine, no headache, so it was time to head back. We got back to NuTech about 5pm, and guess what, Kasie was feeling a little bit energetic, so she went down to the PT room and practiced standing WITHOUT her calipers in the parallel bars for about 10 minutes, without any assistance locking her knees out. She also lifted some weights for awhile. Then back up to the room, and low and behold, the plumber still hadn’t been there. Finally around 7pm he showed up…but he also was finally able to fix the shower, so now we have both hot water and water pressure. Yahoo!

DAY 10: FRIDAY, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween!

No trick or treating for us. Bummer, who’s got all the candy?!

Kasie was exhausted today, pretty normal after a procedure though. At least she doesn’t get the headaches and nausea that a lot of the other patients get after their procedures.

So two procedures down this trip already, and two more to go. Things are looking good. Kasie is strong, her stability improves everyday, as does her walking. I’m so proud of her. It’s not easy for her, or any of the patients who are undergoing treatment here. But they are all remarkable in their own right…and they are so encouraging to each other. Kasie puts herself through plenty of physical and emotional pain in the hopes of improving the quality of her life as a paraplegic, and of course the end goal of walking again. Some of it is of course the “homesick” sort of thing – being so far from family and friends, while undergoing this treatment half way around the world, it is actually draining on all of them to be without their larger support networks. Despite the website and trying to keep you all informed as best we can, there is so much that I don’t write about because it can be too personal, too trying, and quite often just tedious for Kasie. It’s tough because she’s not as connected to all of you as she would like to be – as she is at home. And then there’s the physical effort she is putting into all her exercises and walking…sometimes painful, most often exhausting…but she just gets stronger and stronger all the time…she’s doing great! And I just wanted you all to know that.

Kasie did have her standard morning PT session, but instead of doing her walking exercises this morning, she stood again for about 10 minutes WITHOUT her calipers. Shivani was impressed that Kasie was locking her knees out all on her own. After PT, it was upstairs for lunch and a quick power nap for Kasie. Afternoon PT rolled around pretty quick though, and despite Kasie still being tired – off she went, with just a little nudge. She did her mat exercises: CAT, CAMEL, hip rotations, kneeling with arm extensions, etc. And then of course she also practiced her walking, with the walker and also in the parallel bars. Afterwards, instead for just giving into being tired, Kasie did want to get out, good girl. So what is there to do in Delhi at 500pm on a Friday afternoon? We of course went to a market and people watched, did some haggling for the fun of it, found a magic carpet, and got Kasie some dinner. It was actually a nice afternoon to be out, and the normal smoke in the air wasn’t too bad.

DAY 11: SATURDAY, November 01, 2008

Wow, it’s November already…time’s flying here in Delhi. Kasie’s midway through her treatment, and doing fabulous - only two more weeks to go.

Uh-oh, today, was just one of those days. There was some serious miscommunication between Kasie and the sisters this morning. While I was gone to yoga, Kasie had gotten up and at about 8am she went out to the nurses station and asked the sister on duty for her stem cell injection because she was ready for it and wanted to be able to get ready without being interrupted.. Well the sister told her it would be in a little while, so Kasie returned to the room, and waited, and waited, and then finally had to grab a shower and got ready to head down to PT. Well at about 10:20am, Kasie went back out to the nurses station, since no one had come by yet with her shot; and it was at that point they told her today’s shot was to be an infusion, which means it is an IV treatment which takes about ½ hour. Really not gonna work since PT’s at 11am, but what choice is there, not have the infusion; not likely. This is one of those “India” things here that so gets under your skin…planning and schedules are just so non-existent at times, it can be so infuriating. Anyway, she had her infusion in the room. Dr. Sudeep came in to talk to her about rectifying this situation in the future; and instructed the sisters to give Kasie her shot, or infusion when she is ready for it and asks for it; so she doesn’t have to wait on them. Anyway, Kasie was about 10 minutes late to PT this morning; but she and Shivani cranked through PT – the stretches, the core exercises, and most importantly the walking.

This afternoon, at about 2:30pm, we headed out for a few hours, we just had to get out of the hospital for awhile. It’s starting to be a bit tiresome and tedious around here, so just getting Kasie out for a few hours is a really good thing. Besides, today is Saturday, and there is no afternoon PT on Saturdays.

Week Three: November 2 - November 8, 2008

CODivegirl — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:27:08 CST

DAY 12: SUNDAY, November 2, 2008

No Daylight Savings in India, but did you all remember to set your clocks back last night? Today there was no PT, since it was Sunday. Kasie did have another infusion (IV) stem cell treatment this morning; and then an injection this evening. Instead of just sitting around the hospital today, we decided it was time for a bit of adventure. Kasie talked Elaine and Julie, into joining us. So what should we do, where should we go…ah, in search of the elusive white tiger…where could we possibly find one in Delhi? Well, the zoo of course, or so we thought.

The NZP, National Zoological Park in Delhi covers 214 acres. It is one of the finest zoos in Asia and while it is a standard type of zoo, it strives to provide some very natural like settings for its inhabitants. The NZP is home to more than 2,000 birds and animals; primarily Indian and Asian natives, there are also animals from Africa, North and South America, and Australia. The exhibits and habitat enclosures for the animals are actually fairly large, larger than some I’ve actually seen stateside in some cases. Lots of birds, monkeys, deer species, bears, etc. As for the lions and tigers – we seemed to have missed them, because they started to put the cats away at about 430pm, even though the park was open until 6pm; so by the time we had made our way around to that side of the park, it was about 430pm and they had already been brought in, go figure.

But had we gotten to see our white tiger… (sort of)

this is the one from the Delhi zoo. Ah, the internet…(photo of White Tiger @ Delhi Zoo by Kamal Kishore)

DAY 13: MONDAY, November 3, 2008

Today was a busy day in PT. This morning of course the standard stretching and core exercises; and then standing without her calipers, she’s getting really good at that! Today, I think was by far the best I’ve seen Kasie ever stand without her calipers. She was tall, straight, well balanced, and well weighted on her legs…the parallel bars seemed only to be there as an afterthought. And she stood that way with her knees locked and Shivani there for more moral support more than anything else for about 15 minutes. Great!

So a frustrating part of being here is that they are always seeming to rush Kasie, and then make her wait…actually I see it with most of the patients. Some of it’s the culture and language barrier thing. And some of it, I think, is that because these patients do tend to be so mobile, the sisters often don’t seem to understand that there are limits to their capacities and speed. And that often the patients need some extra time to get things accomplished due to the less than fully handicap accessible rooms and such. Plus, it’s also a matter of planning…often patients feel they haven’t been informed of what is happening next, even when they have specifically asked about something… and then at the very LAST minute, they are told they need to be somewhere right then and there…well it’s really not that simple and the sisters do seem to forget that. Things take time in India…and then of course the waiting for the elevator – which inevitably fails when she needs it, or is being used by someone else, etc…

So even though our girl was feeling frustrated, and a little distracted with hunger, her afternoon PT session was fabulous! She of course strapped on her calipers and walked out to the infusion room and back with her walker. Then she did the parallel bars: front, back, and those dreaded sidesteps. But then after all the walking it was back to some mat exercises. Once again she did some squatting. But then she and Amanda talked about the squatting, and Amanda showed Kasie how she has been doing it…on a harder surface than the padded mat, and spreading her feet so a PT doesn’t have to support her knees…with that little bit of guidance from someone who has first hand experience herself in learning how to do that exercise, Kasie got it. It’s a squat, and then an extension towards a standing position. And while she didn’t get to a fully standing position, and it was a bit wobbly - it was the first time she’s done it, so there’s a bit of a learning curve at this point…but it was phenomenal.

You Tube Video Link Kasie 1st time standing from squat

After PT today was the monthly doctor, patient, caregiver meeting. It is an open forum session for everyone to ask questions, share experiences, etc; because there are a lot of new patients as well as returning patients who are interested in hearing about the progress or issues and concerns of each other. It was very much like the meeting I wrote about last time we were here, so I won’t cover all the same stuff about how stem cells work, etc. (so if you don’t remember it all, please refer to…the following pages: Stem Cell Research & Therapy and/or Week 1: Day 7, March 7, 2008 – for meeting notes).

Dr. Geeta Shroff and Dr. Ashish Verma at patient meeting
Patients, caregivers and staff at patient meeting
Kasie and Dr. Geeta and Dr. Ashish

Anyway, the meeting began with patient introductions – you know, names, injury level or disease and what kind of results they are experiencing with the treatments they have been receiving, either this time or over the course of repeated visits. Of course our shy girl, Kasie clams up.

I know that’s hard to believe; and had I not experienced this with her time and time again this past year, I wouldn’t believe it either. But yes Kasie is shy when it comes to someone putting her on the spot, handing her a microphone, doing an interview, or speaking to a room full of people. Both Dr. Geeta and Dr. Ashish realize she is shy in this regard; and kid her about it a bit…but it rarely works to elicit more than, “Hi, I’m Kasie…”…so I had the pleasure of once again introducing Kasie and speaking a little bit about her SCI and progress since her initial stem cell treatment to those who didn’t know her yet.

Dr. Ashish (Verma) told everyone that the patients and THEIR results are proof that the stem cells are working.

A question came up of the different methods of injection – intramuscular or infusion (IV); and Dr. Geeta (Shroff) explained that just like a drug, there are different routes to administer an injection. The IV mode is the quickest, and the IM slower; but the route when it comes to stem cells doesn’t really matter because the HESC (human embryonic stem cells) will find the damaged area that they need to get to. Of course the best route is actually doing an injection at the site of the injury; but that is not always possible because that does generally require a “procedure.”

Just a quick refresher: the procedures are given at, above, and below the injury site depending upon the needs of the patient and what results they are seeing from standard IM and IV injections. The types of procedures are: Caudal – where the injection is given directly into the spinal column; Lumbar – where the injection is given directly into the spinal CORD, not necessarily in the lumbar region of the spine; Epidural – a catheter is placed into the spinal column, and injections are given at various levels over several days.

Dr. Ashish talked about that the stem cells first will repair “dormant” cells that are morphologically intact, but just are not working. The stem cells go to those cells and provide what is needed in those areas. The gauge needle – generally a 29.

A question came up whether or not they are doing control studies. Both Dr. Geeta and Dr. Ashish said they don’t believe in control studies because essentially it is unfair to the patients because they are not receiving something that can be helping them. They’ve seen too many placebo studies conducted that only give false hope. They believe the “control” in the case of their stem cell patients is the diagnosis itself. So all the patients being treated at NuTech do receive stem cells. The only exception has been a few patients who were initially too to be treated with stems cells, and were given 2-3 weeks of only PT, and no stem cells and saw no improvements. They compare that to all the other patients who receive stem cells from the beginning, as well as PT and see some changes right away. Also the excepted patients who had seen no improvement on PT alone, did show changes once they also received stem cells. One of the patients commented on that they have been doing therapies for years and seeing no improvements, but once they received the stem cells they started to feel tingling sensations that they had not experienced before…and were getting stronger, something their PT programs at home had not been able to accomplish.

Something new that neither Kasie nor I had heard for before, was that the Doctors do not recommend having an MRI or even an X-ray, after the stem cell treatments, because they are not exactly sure what effect that would have on the stem cells. They are concerned that the magnetic imagining and radiation could be harmful to the stem cells. They do understand that some patients might want to see if there is a change to their scar tissue mass, etc…however, they believe that the difference after just one or two treatments would be so minimal, and the risk of damage to the cells stems is potentially too great, that it would be better to wait 3 – 4 years before undergoing MRI’s and X-rays. Once again, the idea is to treat the body like it was pregnant; unless of course there was an emergency and a need for those procedures they prefer the patients do not undergo them at this point in time. Good to know.

There has been a slight change in the “formula” of the stem cells being injected, in so far as the concentrations of stem cells in each injection is much more concentrated now than in the past.

So since I’m touching on this subject once again, and some of you may be reading about this for the first time, and because (HESC) human embryonic stem cells can be such a controversial topic – especially in the United States, and because there was a question at today’s meeting about how Dr. Geeta’s work began...; I thought I should take a moment to explain in fairly simple terms that the same original embryonic stem cell line, which was established as a result of Dr. Geeta’s in vitro fertilization work, is still being used. Dr. Geeta’s in vitro patient and her husband conceived twin girls as a result of their egg and sperm ‘donations’ being combined in the lab in a petri dish. The petri dish was used to create potential embryos to be implanted in the womb of the woman; two of which were successfully implanted. Those two embryos both “took” successfully and as a result the woman conceived twin girls. As per standard medical protocol, even in the United States, the remaining, unused embryos were considered biological surplus material. Yes, it is true that often those surplus embryos are frozen for future use by the donor couple, but it is also true that often those surplus embryos are just destroyed as biological waste. Here in India, it is extremely costly and extremely rare for the surplus embryos to be frozen for future use. Therefore, once the patient and her husband decided they did not need the surplus embryos, they decided to donate a single surplus embryo to Dr. Geeta Shroff to create a stem cell line for research and treatment. That’s it in a nutshell. (Please see Stem Cell Research & Therapy for more information).

Anyway, to date Dr. Geeta and Dr. Ashish have treated 562 patients, including members of their own families. The success rate cannot be defined as many skeptics would like it to be, because according to Dr. Geeta, it is highly individualized. The bottom line according to Dr. Geeta, (as well as the patients and caregivers I’ve spoken to) is that even a 1% change in a static injury (SCI – spinal cord injury) or stopping the progression of a progressive/terminal disease is a “success.” It goes to the quality of life and overall change for the individual patient...and there really is no way to measure that by anything other than the individual themselves. What they feel, how they feel, what they are now able to accomplish, additional strength, additional hope, etc., all play into their progress. There was a question about whether patients ever “gain” something from the treatment, only to “lose” it again. For progressive diseases (like Lyme disease, diabetes, etc.) they apparently do see ups and downs. However, with SCI patients once they regain something - they have it, as long as they nourish it and continue to do PT and take care of themselves. The only glitch that seems to have been reported is that of the bladder function. Apparently if the patient gets a UTI (urinary tract infection) it can cause them to lose some of that control they gained; but once treated and the infection is gone it should come back again.

So some really exciting news was the discussion of a recent patient who came to NuTech to be treated after only 1 and ½ months after her accident. She was 50+ year old Indian woman, who was in fairly poor health even prior to her accident. She suffered a complete T4/T5 SCI – no feeling, or sensations in her legs, loss of bowel and bladder, etc. After her initial stem cell treatments, she has gained “everything back”. This very much interested me as I’m sure you can imagine. So I spoke with Dr. Ashish and Dr. Geeta more about this after the meeting because I didn’t want to monopolize the conversation. As Dr. Geeta and Dr. Ashish have said previously, the sooner they can treat someone with an SCI the better they believe the results will be. But the skeptics have always be a challenge when it comes to early treatment as well. Because often the skeptics and experts say that certain feelings and functions may come back anyway and there is no way to make the distinction between what might have happened anyway, and the treatment by stem cells. So there actually have been very few patients who have been treated with stems cells Apparently when they say “everything” they truly mean it. This woman has complete sensation in all of her body at this point. She is currently walking with the aid of calipers and a walker because her bones are still healing and she is also suffering from a lung infection as the result of her accident. But other than that, she has full bowel and bladder control, full sense of touch in her legs…she essentially has fully recovered. This is very promising; as the Doctors see this as more proof that the stem cell treatment does work. Eventually they hope these kinds of results, as well as the progress and successes of all their patients will help lessen the criticism of skeptics. Up until now Dr. Geeta and Dr. Ashish have been very weary of taking in patients in too soon after their injury, because skeptics often say, well they would have gained that back anyway. But the reality is, that the sooner patients, especially those with SCI’s receive treatment, the quicker and more full is their recovery. Dr. Geeta and Dr. Ashish, hope that someday stem cell treatment will be protocol for SCI’s at time of injury, or shortly thereafter.

DAY 14: TUESDAY, November 4, 2008

Election day for all of you back in the states…don’t forget to vote.

PT today had more progress with standing without her calipers. She stood for a long time with minimal support, like in fact she only used 1 finger on each hand to give her that little bit of balance/support on the walker itself…and no calipers….she also tried it using a cane. Geeta is having Shivani prep Kasie to try walking without the calipers.

INSERT VIDEO 5138 - pending You Tube upload

This afternoon, after PT; Kasie and the girls went out on their own for a bit, a good day to just get out and about.

DAY 15: WEDNESDAY, November 5, 2008

It has been interesting being here in India just prior to the 2008 Presidential election. I must admit I have NOT missed all the repetitive campaign ads, the negative rhetoric that was so often misleading - by both campaigns, and the constant barrage of coverage of things that were so ridiculous and irrelevant to the actual issues at hand through every media outlet available. After such a long run for the White House by both political affiliations it has finally drawn to a close. I voted before I left…and as far as I can tell most of the US patients and caregivers did also. And I just read in “The Times of India” that the 147,000 Americans that live here in India could cast their votes at the US Embassy here in Delhi – who knew. Anyway, we awoke to the still pending, but rather apparent news about who the new President of the United States would be. And now we know it is official, President Elect Barack Obama. What a historic day for the United States, no matter what your personal politics are, it is a change and a new beginning for our country on many levels.

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. Seneca

Today, Kasie had morning PT, and I packed up our stuff for the next three days because after PT we were headed over to the other hospital at Gautam Nagar. We will be here for three days, while she has an Epidural (spinal column with the catheter) AND a Lumbar procedure combined. She hasn’t had a combined procedure before and is a little anxious. She’s got the small windowless room again, definitely not ideal for a 3 day procedure…tough even just with a 1 day. I can come and go and get out and get stuff she may want; but for Kasie when she has a catheter in her back for the 3 days, she’s not even allowed out of the room because they don’t want to risk infection. So she really is couped up in a dark, dank, dreary room…and the lighting – fluorescent is obnoxious.

Kasie had been gone for more than 2 hours…and has just now returned from the operating room. They are carrying her back into the room on a stretcher because they couldn’t get the gurney in here with the angle of the hall and doorway. They have gotten her positioned – on her back, on the extremely uncomfortable bed, poor thing; and have elevated the foot of the bed with 2 bricks. She is not to eat for 2 hours; at about 6:30pm (4 hours and 45 minutes) she’ll be able to roll over her side; but she cannot sit up until tomorrow. She wants no one to come into the room after the staff leaves. Kasie tells me the pain was excruciating during this procedure…and that she wants to write about it herself when she can move… so here’s what she had to say herself:

Today’s procedure was by far the worst one I have experienced, I had the EC (epidural catheter); this is where a tube is inserted into the spinal column. I also had the lumbar at T-6; this is when he inserts the needle into the spinal cord.

Dr. Ashish put me on the operating table on my left side with my knees at my chest and my back facing him. He wiped the area that he was going to be injecting. The swabs are very cold and my back is hyper sensitive especially at the site of the injury, Dr. Ashish is aware of how low my sensitivity goes. After the area is completely wiped down, he starts the procedure.

Dr. Ashish numbs the area before inserting the epidural and the needle. Although I am numb from the spinal cord injury, he still numbs the area in case there is a slight chance I may feel something, that could be very painful! I do feel a little pressure from that. As he puts the tube into the spinal column, I do feel it hit the bone sometimes, it is a strange feeling and I do not feel it often. It took Dr. Ashish a while to get the tube into position. I was getting very hot, and I was not breathing as I should have been. I get very nervous during this process as I have to lay very still, and with two other people holding me in position and one sister to hold my hand (as you can imagine, I am not as tough as I should be). Before he started the process of inserting the needle into the T6 section of my spine, I asked if I could breathe, Dr. Ashish laughed, I should have been breathing the whole time but I was too nervous. He was constantly asking if I could feel anything, after many times of him asking and me telling him no, it finally hit me! The pain was unbelievable. I instantly started crying begging him to stop, he told me no, that is what he wanted, he wanted me to feel something because he knows that he has hit the right spot and the stem cells are working! The pain was a burning/shocking feeling only on the inside of my body and down my left side, and all the way down my leg; it was the first time for this kind of burning, and that I have ever felt my leg the same as my upper body. However, I thought I was having a heart attack. Dr. Ashish asked if I were ok, I told him “NO!” I honestly felt like I was not ok. I am not sure as to how long the pain lasted, it seemed like forever but as soon as the burning went away, the assistants rolled me onto my back and I was fine. Dr. Ashish was filling out a chart, and heard me laughing, he asked if I were crying or laughing he could not believe that one minute I was crying then the next laughing!

I told him that I wanted that procedure again, he asked me “why, during the procedure you tell me no no no stop! Now you want it again?” I told him “NO PAIN NO GAIN!”

Now up to my room to lay still until tomorrow morning!

The intensity of the procedure, along with the anxiety before the procedure is extremely exhausting. When I arrived in my room, I only wanted to be left alone. I did however fill Sonia in on the events. Only, I do believe my exact words were; “This one %*#&ing hurt more than anything I’ve EVER gone through in my life, I almost let out a Mother %*#&er when he hit the spot! “

For the next three days I will be laid up in bed getting stem cell injections through the port in my spine. The injections are not painful, I will only have to lay still for two hours after each injection.

So there you have it. Here’s just a little more about the procedure from when Dr. Ashish came into check on Kasie. The first part of the procedure was the Lumbar puncture/procedure at level T6, which is above her level of injury. He goes in through the spinal column and then directly into the spinal cord to insert the stem cells there. After that part of the procedure was complete he then did the Epidural Catheter where he went into the spinal column at T12, below the level of injury and insert a catheter up up the level of her Thoracic spine to about C5 in fact. The remaining tube which is strapped to her back and then run up over her shoulder with a port is secured to her back with adhesive tape and padding. When Dr. Ashish came into check on Kasie this evening and give her the evening stem cell dosage through the port, she was in much less pain and discomfort than when she had first come back to the room. We all talked about the sensations – burning down her side all the way into her leg, pain at her injury site and below - she had felt while undergoing the actual procedures. He explained that the sensations she was feeling at the time of the procedure, at and below the level of injury, were the autonomic (ANS) nervous system – a very good thing, because it is really the first to re-develop. The ANS is a control system that allows the body to maintain homeostasis. It is the unconscious control or sensations we feel and don’t normally have to think about – things like heart rate, breathing, perspiration, pupil dilation, etc. Next comes the sensory system, the sense of touch and pain and body position, all of which case is acutely aware of during a procedure and afterwards while we are trying to position her into a comfortable position that she will need to lie in for a few hours without moving. And once these two systems begin and continue to regenerate themselves at and below Kasie’s level of injury (T8, T9, T10) the expectation is that her motor skills will also come back as a result of the stem cell treatments and intense physical therapies. While Dr. Ashish was administering Kasie’s stem cell injection through her port this evening she did again have some discomfort at and around the level of injury, another good sign according to Dr. Ashish. So it’s another two hours of not being able to move, this time she’s on her left side, with the foot of the bed elevated.

DAY 17: THURSDAY, November 6, 2008

A rough night for Kasie, she was quite uncomfortable and got little sleep. When she finally had drifted off early this morning, there was a racket going on in the room above us, apparently the canteen had received a delivery of propane tanks for cooking, and were dragging them across the floor.

Then after a fiasco with the Sisters this morning, no one was allowed to come a knocking for the rest of the day, except of course Dr. Ashish, Mr. David and the food, but no ward boys asking to clean the room, no Sisters wanting to check her BP, etc…she had had enough of all of them for the time being and just needed her rest after yesterday's procedure.

Dr. Ashish came in about 1130am for her portal stem cell injection, and this time Kasie was to lie on her right side for 2 hours without moving. Again, a slight sensation of discomfort once the injection reach her level of injury, but it dissipated fairly quickly.

This evening about 8:30pm Dr. Ashish returned to give her evening portal injection. It took awhile to get Kasie comfortable, well barely comfortable I guess you could say, because this time she is to lie on stomach for the two hours. So lots of pillows, changing the position of her hips and legs, etc, until we could find a position she would be fairly comfortable in for 2 hours. Again all good signs, because she is aware of her body positioning in her legs and the sensation of discomfort and pain.

DAY 16: FRIDAY, November 7, 2008

This morning Kasie had another portal injection, but this time Dr. Ashish gave her a double dose of stems cells so she’d be able to leave the hospital earlier in the day rather than having to wait for an evening injection. This time she gets to sit up for 2 hours.

At about 2pm, the Sisters came in and removed her IV and then her epidural catheter from her spine.

It was then time to head back to NuTech. Amanda, who had also been over there for a 3 day procedure, and Kasie shared a taxi back. Michele (Amanda’s sister) and I opted to walk back because there was no room for all of us, all the girls stuff and their wheelchairs in the car.

Once back at NuTech, ah –a refreshing hot shower for our girl. And then a quiet evening in.

DAY 17: SATURDAY, November 8, 2008

Kasie only had morning PT since it was Saturday. And after 3 days of very limited movement because of the bed restriction because of the catheter procedures it was a fairly strenuous workout for Kasie, but she did great. She showed Shivani that her toes contracted a little bit more when she would tickle the bottom of her foot It doesn’t happen every time she tickles her foot though, but it is could be an indication that . Perhaps a result of the procedure adding to the repairs of the autonomic system. Time will tell.

After PT we headed out and about for the day. It turned out to be an extremely heavy pollution day here in Delhi. Perhaps the worst we’ve experienced actually. There was very heavy smoke in the air as a result of heavy burning of everything from trash, to heating (because it’s cooling off here), to sugar cane…and of course all the cars...it was rather intense. The sensation of watery eyes; itchy, burning throats and nasal membranes; and just that plain uncomfortable feeling that overcomes you with too much smoke inhalation and dirt and dust was abundant today, and there was no escaping it, even indoors you still get an overwhelming sense of it. Well since we were out in it anyway, we visited a market area and sat and people watched for awhile. We then stopped by Hauz Kaus after checking out the little village and gallery shops there with some friends who hadn’t seen it before. The “water tank” is so polluted and green now (think green like Kermit the frog). Apparently since the last time we were here the “park” and “tank” are undergoing some “biological restoration”, according to the sign…but I’m not sure exactly what it is there trying to achieve in there, except perhaps some sludge..

Anyway, afterwards we all had dinner out at Park Baluchi, an Indian restaurant in Deer Park. A “fine” dining experience in Delhi. The food, if you like curry and Indian spices is actually quite good, but perhaps a little overpriced by the Indian standards we have gotten used to. I still personally think that some of the little “street” vendor food “establishments” are a better bang for your rupee and much more tasty for somethings…but you never know with them; and with this place we at least know it is a “safe” place to eat because we, and so many others from NuTech eat there without any problems…so there’s something to be said about that for sure. After dinner the 3 of them took a ‘taxi’ home because with Kasie’s wheelchair in the front passenger seat, and the 3 of them in the back seat it’s a tight fit for sure. But since it’s actually not that far I had a nice walk back through the park, and only had to climb one gate and wall that unbelievably had been locked. Strange, but it is India.

How to Donate

CODivegirl — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:16:21 CST

There are a number of ways to donate to " The India Fund for Kasie!"

Preferred methods are noted by **.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF) allows Kasie to have non-profit status for her expenses for treatment. Her account listed as "NTAF Midwest/West Spinal Cord Injury Fund in honor of Kasie Burtard" ensures your donation goes directly to Kasie.

Please visit http://catastrophicfund.org for details or go directly to Kasie's webpage on NTAF
http://www.transplantfund.org/Restricted/patient-detail.cfm?pat_id=2277&CFID=6401270&CFTOKEN=63326802.

Donations through NTAF can be either by cash, check, money order, or credit card (please Memo - "Kasie Burtard" to ensure the funds go directly to Kasie's account.

**

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0350 Highway 133
Carbondale, CO 81623
Ph: 970-963-3040
Fax: 970-963-9116
carbondalebranch@alpinebank.com
Acccount: The India Fund for Kasie!
Contact: Geri

Please make checks payable to Kasie Burtard

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Mail Checks to:
The India Fund for Kasie!
c/o Kasie Burtard
PO Box 1305
Carbondale, CO 81623 USA

Please make checks payable to Kasie Burtard.

** preferred - Kasie is then aware of all who are helping her cause and she is able to send personal thank you's.
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Airline Miles Needed:

The logistical side of traveling to India for Stem Cell Treatment requires an enormous amount of air travel for Kasie and her caregivers.

Discounted economy airline ticket prices range from about $1300 - $2500 per person, depending on dates of travel and flight availability. With increasing fuel prices , added surcharges, baggage allowances, etc., future travel may be even more expensive.

In order to help with her budget and expenses for her treatment(s)/trip(s) to India, Kasie asks for your help in donating miles to her account on American Airlines.
Any air miles you could transfer to Kasie’s account would be of huge assistance in either allowling her to reach a "free" ticket(s) or an upgrade.

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/AAdvantage/programDetails/purchasingMiles/purchasingMiles.jsp

An economy class ticket on American requires 75,000 miles; business class is 150,000 miles.

Kasiel hopes that she may receive enough miles for a ticket(s) for future trip/treatment, or for an upgrade. Upgrading for Kasie would provide her with more comfortable conditions for the 18 + hour trip from Colorado to India.

Upgrades to business class on American from economy requires 40,000 miles, plus $300.

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Aspen-Sotheby's International - is accepting cash and check donations for Kasie

Send Kasie to India Fund
c/o Aspen / Sotheby's International
711 Main Street
Carbondale, Colorado
(970) 963-5177
www.amorerealty.com

Make checks payable to Kasie Burtard

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The Pour House - is accepting donations for Kasie via a benefit box
351 Main St

Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 963-3553

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The Roaring Fork Valley Co-OP - is accepting donations for Kasie via a benefit box
760 Highway 133
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 963-2220 or (970) 704-4202
http://www.roaringforkvalleycoop.com

About Kasie Burtard (pronounced KC)

CODivegirl — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:42:25 CST

Kasie Burtard, (26), a native of Carbondale, Colorado is a recovering paraplegic. Paraplegic refers to a spinal cord injury occurring in the Thoracic, Lumbar or Sacral region. Kasie’s injuries were thoracic in nature.

Prior to her accident Kasie pursued her love of the outdoors and led an active life which included rodeoing. Riding horses was a way of life for Kasie who helped run 1300 head of cattle in the family cattle business. Riding horses was not only a way of life, but WAS her life - her passion…and still is, although it is more difficult to do so now.

Kasie graduated from Roaring Fork High School in 2000 where she was active in sports and participated in her high school rodeo team as well as local rodeo events in both roping and barrel racing events. After graduating high school Kasie had plans. She moved to Rifle, and began working for Apex Security. She was even engaged.

On January 04, 2002, at the age of 19, Kasie’s whole life changed forever. While driving to work that morning she hit a patch of ice, lost control of the truck as she hit the median and rolled the truck she was driving. Unfortunately Kasie, being somewhat of a typical “invincible” young woman, had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time, and was ejected from the vehicle through the back passenger window and pinned under the vehicle. She was left with a spinal cord injury, more specifically she fractured her T8, 9, and 10 vertebrate which compressed on her spinal cord and of course left her paralyzed. In addition to her spinal injuries, she also had an array of other injuries including a broken jaw (which had to be wired shut), a broken pelvis, broken ribs (all of them on her right side), broken bones surrounding her right eye, and punctured lungs. She was initially taken to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, and then was flown by “Flight for Life” to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction where she spent 11 days beginning to recover from her injuries. Kasie was then flown to Craig Hospital in Denver which specializes in spinal injuries, where she was told she would never walk again. She hated the idea of never being able to walk again, and she has been determined to prove her doctors wrong. Kasie spent the next three months learning to live in a wheelchair. This included having to learn how to: sit up, stand, and perform such simple tasks as going to the bathroom. Her accident has left her without feeling or the ability to move freely below the waist.

After the accident and months of recovery and therapy Kasie moved back in with her parents. As early 5 months after her accident she was trying to educate others on the importance of driving safely. She spent time speaking in the local schools and to the youth of the community, "Driving isn't like a game," she said. "You have to be safe all the time. My parents were always saying don't speed, and wear your seat belt. "I never listened to them. Now I'm paying for it," she said. “It is very important to me that young kids don’t make the same mistake that I did, and realize that accidents happen so quickly and can be devastating.” She began to attended Mesa State College, in Grand Junction for a time to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. Trying not feel sorry for herself, but not wanting to ‘drag’ her fiance down a long and arduous path since they were both so young, she pushed him away. Her intense therapy schedule and her desire to walk again led her to travel to treatment facilities in New Mexico, Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma that specialize in spinal cord injuries and therapies. All this therapy cut into her time for attending college. Kasie came to grips with her situation and realized that she needed to put her therapy first in order to meet her goal, of “full recovery, which in my mind means walking again, ” and this could only happen if she dedicated the bulk of her time to innovative therapies.

Her strength and determination along with the support of her friends and family, and some amazing physical therapy practices, including acupuncture, hyperbaric chamber therapy, and learning to ride an exercise bike without stimulation have indeed allowed her to prove the doctors wrong, even if only briefly. She continues to travel to treatment facilities in New Mexico, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma that specialize in spinal cord injuries and therapy. In December of 2006, just a week before Christmas, Kasie took 132 steps, albeit with the aid of a walker at a treatment facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. What a Christmas present to herself! It helped bolster Kasie’s hopes and dreams of full recovery and being able to one day walk again, on her own. Kasie’s spirit remains high and she holds onto her hope, because afterall, her spinal cord was NOT severed. So holding on to hope and being the determined young woman that she is, she is confident that with time and the proper treatment, namely stem cell therapy, she will see results.

Today Kasie lives independently in New Castle with her chocolate lab, Baylee. She works for the Colorado Division of Wildlife as an Assistant Office Manager in Glenwood Springs. Her positive attitude, knowledge of the outdoors and hunting (her father is not only a cattleman, but an outfitter as well) allows her to provide excellent customer service and relate to her customers and fellow employees. She is a vibrant and full of life young woman who pushes herself to her limits and beyond. She continues intense physical therapy, with a regular routine of acupuncture, yoga, and trips to special facilities for spinal cord injury treatments. Despite Kasie’s physical impairments, she continues an active outdoor lifestyle. She enjoys riding horses, attending rodeos, knee boarding, snowmobiling, going to horse sales with her Dad, spending time at her grandpa’s cabin (“the greatest place on earth“), and hanging out with friends. Kasie is filled with determination and faith that her progress will continue, “I know I will walk again…” She knows the success her friend Amanda gained from stem cell therapy in India. Kasie hopes that stem cell therapy will also help her to build upon the progress she has already made, and help her gain muscle mass and balance, and “hopefully to someday walk again!”

Kasie continues to push the limits of her abilities and strives to one day walk again. Kasie has been inspired by her friends Amanda Boxtel (http://amandaboxtel.com), who recently became the first United States citizen to receive human embryonic stem cell therapy with great results, and Leah Roland (http://helpleahroland.com) who also intends to travel to India in the spring of 2008 to receive similar human embryonic stem cell therapy. All three of these women have made amazing and courageous steps in their own recovery through their inner strength and determination. To date, over 70 other spinal cord injury patients have received successful stem cell therapy with no adverse side effects. Kasie is thrilled and looking forward to success in India when she hopes to receive her stem cell therapy this spring (2008). Yet she admits she is a little anxious about being “alone” and away from home in a foreign country for her treatment with only a few friends being able to make the trip as her caregivers. And of course there is the disappointment in having to leave, Baylee, her dog behind. Traveling to India, with a dog, even if it is a service dog is extremely complicated because of the health requirements, the quarantine period and the general concern for the health and welfare of the dog in a foreign country. But despite any apprehensions she might have, she is “pysched” to say the least, it is after all a chance to gain additional strength, muscle, and balance needed to someday walk again!

The above was written as the original "About Kasie" page when this website was first created...for updates on her since her first treatment and so much more, please visit other pages on this website...thank you.

Week One: October 20 - October 25, 2008

CODivegirl — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:52:09 CDT

Hey faithful readers…welcome back to India.

As most of you know by now, Kasie has returned to India for her second go around of stem cell treatment. I have to apologize for the delay on catching you up since we began our travel last Monday, October 20th. But I’ve had a major computer malfunction, so everything I had already written about our trip over and the first 2 days here – when she had her first on Thursday 10/24 was lost when my computer crashed. It’s completely shot, kablewy for sure! So now I’m borrowing a computer, re-writing this past week, saving it to a USB drive and then I will transfer it to the website when I have a steady connection, so we may lag a few days behind from here on out…but fear not faithful Kasie supporters…I’ll keep you up to speed as best I can. So with all that said, let’s see how things started…

DAYs A & B\MONDAY – October 20, 2008 and TUESDAY October 21, 2008

Kasie and Eric spent the weekend in Denver. I flew to Denver from Aspen Monday morning. I left the secured area with my carry on and met up with Kasie at American airlines to check in. Of course checking in with Kasie’s ENORMOUSLY heavy suitcase was somewhat comical as it was OF COURSE overweight by 10 lbs. and that was going to cost another $50, ya, whatever. So there we are scrambling on the floor, trying not to open the bag too much and display or lose all the ‘unmentionable’s’, and took out her computer and DVD player – hey we need something to do when sitting around after procedures – and put them in my carry on bag. The bag was then deemed light enough to travel without the extra charge.

After goodbyes to Eric, Poppa, Aunt Judy and Uncle Jim we headed through security. HMPH! Riddle me this batman, if I JUST had flown in from Aspen, where I had cleared security with a peach cup, how could I not clear security in Denver with same said peach cup?! Well I couldn’t according to the TSA guy, it was too large. He told me I had plenty of time to eat said peach cup while waiting for them to go over Kasie and her chair. I argued with him just a bit, I’m sure those of you who know me are saying, oh no not you Sonia, you’d never argue about something like that…ya right you all know better…but in fact I WASN’T TOO argumentative, because afterall all I needed was to piss off the TSA guy and get locked up and Kasie would be going off to India on her own. So I obliged and began to open the damned little peach cup…the snack I knew I’d be craving in about 9 hours on the way to Delhi…and of course as soon as I tore back the lid just a teensy bit, well of course another TSA guy, who had been watching the whole thing from his vantage point of leaning on the wall, came over and said, hey she could carry that on…HELLLO, didn’t I tell the first guy that – afterall I had just been through security in Aspen with it…but it didn’t matter, danged thing was open and you can’t reseal those things. All the while Kasie is sitting at the otherside of the metal detectors waiting to be check out, but they were worried she had no one to watch her things in the SECURITY LINE, while they were screening her…what a fiasco. Finally we made it through security…and off to our gate we go.

We were scheduled to depart at 12:55pm on Monday October 20th…but that of course didn’t happen because can you believe it, it was raining in Chicago. Raining in Chicago, yeah so? Well apparently the weather was so bad there that they had to shut down the airport and we couldn’t take off until it reopened.

So, at 2:06pm we finally took off. We discovered that you still get complimentary water or soda/pop on board , but any other snacks cost at least $3. So a tiny little bag of chips, $3, 1 – yes, 1 cookie (ok it’s one of those rather large cookies, but still it’s just one cookie), $3. But the even more astonishing one for me was the little TINY little box of Sun-Maid raisins, you know the ones that usually come in a 6 pack for like $2.50, sheesh. Other than our discussions on that kind of stuff, our flight was fairly uneventful.

We arrived in Chicago, and by the time we deplaned and all it was about 5:30pm. We made are way from pretty much one end of the airport to the other, stopped along the way to grab some dinner, and then waited to board our flight to Delhi.

Our flight to Delhi – long, it’s something like 7447 miles ( had the exact number typed in on the other computer – but it crashed, but I think that’s pretty close), which is about 13 ½ hours…oh boy here we go. Somewhere along the way we crossed the dateline…and it became Tuesday the 21st. Anyway, our Chicago-Delhi flight crew was wonderful. Thanks ladies for your support and encouragement for Kasie, we really appreciated it all.

Once we finally arrived in Delhi, on Tuesday night, October 21, 2008, we cleared customs and immigration and found our luggage we then met up with our buddy Opie from last time. We had to wait on another patient and caregiver arriving on another flight, and then we were off to NuTech.

We arrived at NuTech to be greated by our very decorated door...a welcome from Julie and Elaine, who are across the hall…buddies from lat time. But alas it was late, and they had already gone to bed…so Kasie of course had to decorated their door as well, ah but the artwork did not survive the night and there's no photographic evidence. Anyway, by the time we got settled in, and of course blew up the DVD player we lugged all that way, it was after 1am on Wednesday morning 10/22…so we’d been traveling quite a bit, and were a wee bit tired. But we only slept until something like 4am if I recall correctly.

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY – October 22, 2008

Our first real day in India again. No hot water, and no water pressure…what the?#(*&, oh yeah it's India.

We headed to Green Park to get Rupees, put minutes on the India phone, and hit the coffee shop for some chai and cookies, yum.

At 10:45am Kasie, had PT (physio, physical therapy) with Shivani. Shivani measured Kasie’s legs to see what her baseline would be for this round of treatment. They were slightly smaller than when she had left here after the first treatment; but bigger than when she had arrived the first time. Her right leg is now stronger than it was, last time it was the left leg that was stronger. After the measurements Shivani and Kasie worked on her actual physical therapy, which today was rather “light” since she’s starting today as day one, and was jet lagged. But they did leg stretches and range of motion exercises to get her legs in motion and start building more muscle. Kasie can feel some of the motion in her hips, and some of the stretches cause her to feel a sensation in her quads from time to time. Kasie also worked on her core strength and stability which is a great asset when she walks.

After PT Kasie had her first stem cell injection of the trip.

Then we visited with Julie and Elaine for a bit, who are here for Elaine. Then after lunch we both did our best to stay awake, so we could get used to the time change, but indeed we crashed for a couple of hours because of the jet lag.

After dinner, Dr. Sudeep came by to check on Kasie…and we told him one of the sisters had just come by and told us that Kasie was having a procedure tomorrow. He had to go check on it, but sure enough a one day procedure was planned for the very next day.

DAY 2: THURSDAY – October 23, 2008

Blood and urine test first thing.

PT with Shivani, lots of stretching and core exercise. Kasie said that she had a bit of pain across her hips on a few of the stretches, but her hip has been popping lately. She brought the broken calipers down to PT to be repaired , they should be ready tomorrow. Then we were off to Gautam Nagar – the other hospital for Kasie’s first procedure this trip. A caudal procedure at just below the injury sight.

OF COURSE I had to ask Opie if I could go into the treatment room, what would a procedure be without me asking that…and of course – DENIED.

While Kasie was in her procedure I walked back to NuTech to meet with Mr. David and check out the situation of mold in our room, the pee smell, and the lack of hot H20 and pressure. Mold turned out to not be mold, so they say…bleached the wall anyway (had stopped on the way at the “supermarket”). And the shower, well they’ll need to bring a plumber in. Then back to Gautam Nagar and I waited for Kasie to come out of her procedure.

Kasie came back from her procedure at about 3:05pm. It was a two brick procedure…meaning of course the foot of the bed was propped up with two bricks, so as to elevate Kasie’s feet. She was not to move until 7:30pm, when she could roll onto her side, and that at 8pm, she was able to sit up. By the way – exciting news she had been able to feel a burning sensation when Dr. Ashish had numbed the site prior to the actual procedure. They numbed the site, just in case she would have any feeling to prevent her from moving while doing the procedure. Also, she moved both feet, she had done it just after the procedure for Dr. Ashish while still in the operating room, and then for me too when she returned to the room. I was able to see her move her feet, and while ever so slightly, she did indeed move them; it was NOT just a shift of weight, I was able to see them move!

We got back to Nutech about 8:30pm, to a clean smelling room, finally – not even going to get into the whole fiasco with the other patients pee infested blanket in our room…watched some TV, I tried to fix my computer which was having some fits…but couldn’t…and we went to bed. It was a big day, and we both still have jet lag.

DAY 3: FRIDAY – October 24, 2008
Dr. Geeta came into PT to see Kasie. Today was a pretty grueling day in PT for Kasie, but she did great. Her strength and stamina really paid off. First off they had her up in the parallel bars – standing without her calipers. And then with the calipers which have been repaired, Kasie walked in the parallel bars, of course with her cowboy boots on. The doctors are finally used to them after last time. They give Kasie extra support in her ankles and she does not have to where ankle braces. After walking for the doctors, Kasie had the rest of her PT for stretching and core strength.
Kasie also asked Dr. Ashish about the blood she had in the shower this morning. At first as you can imagine it was a moment of great concern. But I checked her back for her, and it was actually just from the bandaid (big gauze pad) left from her procedure yesterday. When it had gotten wet, the blood that had been on the gauze ran. The actual injection site hole from the procedure was closed up nicely. Anyway since the blood scare in the morning, and the fact that yesterday I had actually noticed the bandage had more blood on it than the last time she was having procedures, we wanted to know why. Dr. Ashish told us that it was actually a very good sign that she was having more blood flow below her injury site. Because last time Kasie was here, when he would do a procedure there was very little, if any blood at all, and yesterday there was some blood, he was pleased with that. We also talked with him and Dr. Shroff about the leg spasms Kasie has been having recently, like since returning from her last trip. Kasie has described that when she has been transferring from one position to another, like from her chair to bed, or vice-versa, her legs spasm. They were also pleased to hear that, as they told us it is a sign of regeneration.

Video link to You Tube: Kasie walking 10-24-2008

After PT she hd her morning stem cell injection.

Spent the afternoon visiting with Elaine, and recuperating.

This evening she had another stem cell injection.

DAY 4: SATURDAY - October 25, 2008
Morning PT only, staff has ½ day as they prepare for Tuesday’s holiday Diwali – the festival of lights. But it was a very good day in PT for sure. Kasie first started off with the regular PT exercises and core strength exercises. We filmed all of the exercise for practice at home. Kasie walked with the walker from the PT bed to the parallel bars. And then she walked both forward and backwards in the parallel bars. And boy did she walk, she walked a lot. She looks strong and straight both in the walker and parallel bars, I’m so proud of how far she’s come. Her feet move along the floor much better than the last time we were here…and she said it, she doesn’t feel as drained as she used to when she does walk. She can feel the weight in her legs. She and her baby stems cells are doing a great job!

Video link to You Tube: Kasie walking with walker #1: 10-25-2008
Video link to You Tube: Kasie walking with walker #2: 10-25-2008
Video link to You Tube: Kasie walking in parallel bars 10-25-2008
Video link to You Tube: Kasie walking backwards in parallel bars 10-25-2008

Leah (from Aspen) and her caregiver Pam arrived today and we saw them this morning in PT. We think Amanda (also from Aspen) is arriving tonight.

This afternoon we went to Green Park for lunch, and oh what a nightmare. Think Xmas eve last minute shoppers at a mall, crazy traffic jam and multiply that by 13 million people in Delhi and well it was absolutely wall to wall vehicles. Almost impossible to get through it all, but with some finesse we did. Had we not already been experienced Delhi girls, it would have been a complete nightmare. We had lunch and then got some candles for Diwali, and battled our way back through it all againo get back to NuTech.

The idea of trying to get to the mall this afternoon and finding me a new computer – well we shot that one down after the nightmare traffic we had just experienced going to Green Park – and we had only walked and rolled there. No way we were going spend hours sitting in traffic in a car. Maybe another day.

Elaine and Kasie went down to the ground floor this afternoon to watch as the staff decorated the entrance area with colors for Diwali.

And I’ve been catching up on this week for Kasie's supporters to know what she's up to…so there you go.

There's no PT tomorrow, it’s Sunday, so we’ll see what we can find to entertain ourselves.

Kasie's Interview with Matt Renoux 9News - May 5, 2008	More videos of Kasie's physical therapy and walking in India
written story: http://9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=91285 video broadcast: http://9news.com/video/player.aspx?aid=52477&bw=	You Tube link to more of Kasie's videos Walking on 10-24-2008 Kasie using a walker 10-25-2008 Kasie - walking with walker 10-25-2008 Kasie walking in parallel bars 10-25-2008 Kasie walking BACKWARDS in parallel bars 10-25-2008 Kasie with walker 10-27-2008 Kasie walking and talking with Dr. Shroff Oct-2008 Kasie walking to her room 10-27-2008 Kasie walking up ramp to parallel bars 10-29-2008 Kasie 1st time ever attempting standing from squatting 11-03-2008

KASIE Walking (KC Walking - December 2006)	Aspen Poker Night - December 2008 (Benefit for Amanda Boxtel, Kasie Burtard & Leah Rowland)

Aspen Plum TV interview	Kasie walking with calipers in parallel bars NuTech Mediworld, Delhi India, March 2008
http://aspen.plumtv.com/stories/party_purpose

Kasie walking with calipers and CRUTCHES - 1st time ever! NuTech Mediworld, Delhi India, March 2008	Kasie Burtard - lateral side-stepping exercises in parallel bars NuTech Mediworld, Delhi India, March 2008

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