I am so thankful for all of the support to help get Demarion to China. I must admit this has been a humbling experience. We've received donations from people all over the US and many of them we don't know personally. It makes my heart fill with joy knowing that so many others believe in what we are doing for him.
I've been asked what will the stem cells do? What kind of stem cells will be used? What are our goals for him. So, that's the purpose of this blog.
Stem Cells have the ability to develop into different types of cells to exert different functions. They can reproduce a completely new, normal and even younger cell. As a result of Demarions accident most of his brains cells were damaged causing his disabilities. It is our hope that the stem cells will not only reproduce new brain cells but regulate his immune system, promote the growth of blood vessels resulting in increased blood flow to the damaged areas and improve the effective conduction of his intercellular electrical signals and transduction. We will be going through Beike Biotechnology. Demarion and I will stay in a hospital in Qingdao, China. They use three types of stem cells: umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord tissue and bone marrow. The stem cells will be given to Demarion through IV injection and Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap). The lumbar puncture procedure is used to access the cerebrospinal fluid of the brain and spinal cord and helps deliver stem cells directly into the cerebral spinal fluid. Our major goal is improvement, big or small. We would love for him to be able to walk unassisted, use words, feed and cloth himself. These are all basic things that many of us take for granted each day....I know it did before he was injured.
I know this is a lot of medical terminology, but I can't think of any other way to explain it. We are hopeful that the treatments will be highly effective giving Demarion a much brighter future. Again, thank you for your support and prayers.
Edna
