When Kentucky passed a law in 2010 to require insurers to cover autism treatment, Heather Dales felt like a weight had lifted off her family. Until she billed the insurance company. Since the law took effect in early 2011, Dales said the plan failed to reimburse her and her husband for tens of thousands of dollars' worth of care. Most of it paid tuition to the Highlands Center for Autism in Prestonsburg, Ky., which she said drastically improved the development of her son, Hunter, now 6. Dales said the insurer has denied most of the claims, citing incorrect billing codes or use of an unqualified therapist - among other reasons. The couple first turned to family fundraisers - and now loans. "We can't keep taking loans out," she said. In the past few years, more than half the states have passed legislation mandating some level of autism coverage, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But some families of autistic children say they've received little or no benefits. Insurance companies in Kentucky say the state's mandate has required a smoothing-out period to address legal gray areas and other unforeseen challenges. Autism advocates say insurers have had plenty of time … Continue reading →

By M. English Journal Register News Service Plymouth Meetings Heather Brucker, who spearheaded the stem cell donor drive at this years Whitemarsh Township Day, with husband Scott and children David, 11, Marissa, 9, and Matthew, 5. Photo courtesy of subjects View and purchase photos At least thats how Heather Brucker sees it. When the Plymouth Meeting woman heard childhood friend Justin Kleins wife, Shira, had been diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma and was searching for a compatible stem cell donor, Brucker just felt like I had to do whatever I could to help. [The Kleins, residents of East Brunswick, N.J.,] formed an organization called Smiles for Shira, and in just a few short months, nearly 100 drives have been held across the country [and] an astounding 19 matches have been made to individuals waiting for a stem cell transplant, Brucker says. Smiles for Shira has done an incredible job of raising awareness of the need for stem cell donors. The number of matches they have uncovered to date is a remarkable accomplishment, and the hundreds of names that have been added to the national registry hold the possibility for so many more. Reasoning Whitemarsh Township Day with the huge number of … Continue reading →

Nais ni Kris Aquino na ipagamot ang panganay na anak na si Josh. Ito ang isa sa mga dahilan na ibinahagi ng TV host-actress sa entertainment editor ng Balita na si Dindo Balares. Ayon sa kolumn na Prangkahan na lumabas noong Biyernes, April 19, sinabi ni Kris, Ipapagamot ko kasi through stem-cell therapy sa Singapore this June si Josh. Kuwento ni Kris, nahikayat siyang ipagamot ang kanyang 16-year-old na anak dahil sa positibong resulta sa pagpapagamot ng anak ng kanyang isang kaibigan. Tulad ni Josh, may Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD-HD) din ang anak ng kaibigan ni Kris. Lahad ni Kris, Hindi nakakapagsalita ang anak ng friend ko. In fact, wala rin kahit eye contact. Pero after ng treatment, ang laki-laki ng improvement, at nakakabuo na ng full sentence. Dagdag pa niya, Gusto kong i-try. Kasi, ayokong maisip pagdating ng araw na may means naman ako to avail the treatment pero hindi ko ginawa. Kung sakaling matuloy, kakailanganin daw ng buong atensyon ni Kris habang nagpapagamot si Josh. See the original post: Kris Aquino wants son Josh to undergo stem-cell therapy … Continue reading →