Kellie van Meurs, pictured with her husband Mark, died while undergoing stem cell treatment in Russia. Photo: Facebook Supporters of a Brisbane mother of two who died while undergoing a controversial stem cell treatment in Russia say it did not cause her death, nor have others been discouraged from seeking it. Kellie van Meurs suffered from a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome, which causes progressive rigidity of the body and chronic pain. She travelled to Moscow in late June to undergo an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) under the care of Dr Denis Fedorenko from the National Pirogov Medical Surgical Centre. Kellie van Meurs, pictured with family and supporters, died while undergoing stem cell treatment in Russia. Photo: Facebook The transplant more commonly used for multiple sclerosis patients involves rebooting a patients immune system with their own stem cells after high-dose chemotherapy. Advertisement Ms van Meurs was Dr Fedorenkos first SPS patient, and her husband Mark said she died of a heart attack on July 19. I do know that Rosemary [Kellie's aunt and carer in Moscow] felt she received the best possible care, especially from Dr Fedorenko, he said. Given her level of constant pain and … Continue reading →

Kellie van Meurs, pictured with her husband Mark, died while undergoing stem cell treatment in Russia. Photo: Facebook Supporters of a Brisbane mother of two who died while undergoing a controversial stem cell treatment in Russia say it did not cause her death, nor have others been discouraged from seeking it. Kellie van Meurs suffered from a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome, which causes progressive rigidity of the body and chronic pain. She travelled to Moscow in late June to undergo an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) under the care of Dr Denis Fedorenko from the National Pirogov Medical Surgical Centre. Kellie van Meurs, pictured with family and supporters, died while undergoing stem cell treatment in Russia. Photo: Facebook The transplant more commonly used for multiple sclerosis patients involves rebooting a patients immune system with their own stem cells after high-dose chemotherapy. Advertisement Ms van Meurs was Dr Fedorenkos first SPS patient, and her husband Mark said she died of a heart attack on July 19. I do know that Rosemary [Kellie's aunt and carer in Moscow] felt she received the best possible care, especially from Dr Fedorenko, he said. Given her level of constant pain and … Continue reading →

Chennai, July 27: LifeCell, Indias largest umbilical cord blood stem cell bank, is setting up a public stem cell bank at a cost of 30 crore. LifeCells Managing Director, Mayur Abhaya, announced the plans for the public facility being set up by LifeCell Foundation, a non profit organisation, at a function to mark the storage of 100,000 units of cord blood at its private banking facility. At the function, LifeCells brand ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said cord blood banking is a simple and precious gift parents can make for their childrens well being. Once people are aware of the potential of stem cells in treating ailments, the decision to opt for cord blood banking is a no brainer. Abhaya said LifeCell has contributed 10 crore; and R Thyagarajan, Chairman, LifeCell and founder of the ShriramGroup; S Abhaya Kumar, Vice-Chairman; and another donor whose name has not been disclosed, have contributed 2.5 crore each. In the private bank, parents can store the umbilical cord blood and cord tissue collected at the time of childbirth which can be used if the child or siblings need the cells for treatment at a later stage in life, Abhaya said. Stem cells can be used … Continue reading →