Autologous stem cell therapy for autism - a letter to President Obama
June 8, 2009
The mother of a Bayport, New York, autistic girl reaches out to President Obama to make stem cell therapy available in the US after her daughter´s successful treatment at the XCell-Center in Germany. For Judy DiCorcia, it took a leap of faith to take her 10 year-old daughter Lauren to Germany for stem cell therapy. Just six weeks after returning home and observing her daughter´s progress, she knew that her faith had been rewarded; prompting her to bring her daughter´s story to the attention of President Obama.
"Dear President Obama,
I am the mother of a 10 year old, autistic daughter. In January 2009 we took Lauren to Cologne, Germany, for adult stem cell therapy. The center used her own stem cells drawn from her hip bone marrow, centrifuged the next day, and then reinserted via lumbar puncture the following day (2.95 million cells). Both prodedures were quick and not inasive at all. In the past 6 weeks we have seen significant improvements in our daughter´s behaviors, focus, hyperactivity and insomnia. I would rate a general improvement of about 40% - this is HUGE for a family living with autism. Our daughter started sleeping through the night for the first time (yes, she is 10 and got up every night) since stem cells. Lauren is happier in her own skin - so much less frustrated and just generally happier. She is getting through her one-on-one therapy more quickly, better focused, and more compliant. Of course, it amazes me that this simple, non-controversial therapy cannot be done here in the United States.
Sincerely,
Judy DiCorcia"
Today, more than five months since her treatment, Mrs. DiCorcia reports of the further progress: "Lauren is doing well. Her situation is stable and fortunately all positive effects have persisted. I wish the doctor could fly to the US and perform the therapy here!" The autism treatment at XCell-Center employs autologous adult stem cells that are retrieved from the patient´s own bone marrow. After the stem cells are separated from the bone marrow, they are implanted into the spinal canal under local or general anesthesia depending upon the specific needs of the patient.
