Houston Salon Series Breaking Science; Breaking Silence draws prominent guests in support of Arthritis Foundation

Members from the Houston medical community, along with friends and supporters of the Arthritis Foundation, recently gathered to kick off the organizations Houston Salon Series titled Breaking Science; Breaking Silence at the River Oaks Country Club on May 13.

The series is aptly named as it reveals the breaking science for the nations most debilitating yet silent disease of arthritis. The VIP reception of 60 prominent guests featured the three pioneers of commercial stem cell banking and therapy, David Eller, Dr. Stanley Jones and Donna Lee.

The host committee of this engaging evening included Dr. Carolyn Farb, hc, Dr. Bill Bryan, Dr. Philip Salem and Mrs. Wadad Salem, Mr. Tommy Proctor, JD, and George and Sallie Alcorn.

Eller, Jones and Lee engaged supporters of the Arthritis Foundation in stimulating conversation pertaining to the groundbreaking advancements in adult stem cell research and the new possibilities in treatments and therapies for arthritis patients. Although stem cells have been researched extensively and used safely and successfully for over 50 years, widespread therapeutic use of stem cells outside of academic institutions remains at the frontier of medicine.

Eller, a leader in the world of Bio Technology, gave a historical perspective of how Celltex, a commercial stem cell company, was formed through the inspiration and encouragement of Governor Rick Perry. Governor Perry understands that Houston has the medical resources to become the Stem Cell Capital of the world. Governor Perry reached out to Eller and asked him to lead the effort to take stem cell out of academic research and into actual treatments for the masses.

Lee, an expert in human biology, bioethics and biotechnology led an educational and stimulating discussion on stem cells and biosafety necessary for successful therapeutic outcomes. She specifically reviewed and outlined the stem cell harvesting and processing techniques with emphasis on treatment possibilities for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Celltex is considered to be the trailblazer in North America for biosafety applied to regenerative medicine with their patented process of separating, multiplying and storing adipose (fat-tissue)-derived adult stem cells called Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). Lee concluded the discussion with a case study of Dr. Stanley Jones.

Jones, a Houston spine surgeon, developed severe rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. When he became unable to do what he loves, help people through surgery, and no drug or therapy was available in the United States to relieve his symptoms or pain, Jones looked to other parts of the world for alternative treatments. He found such treatments in Korea and Japan and travelled to these distant lands for treatment. To his amazement, the therapy worked and he joined forces with Eller to bring this treatment to North America and the masses. He now receives regular stem cell treatments and has been able to resume his life and career in spinal surgery. Jones is the first American citizen to receive this form of stem cell treatment.

During the VIP reception, Chairman of the Arthritis Foundations Community Leadership Board Jim Dumler thanked the evening sponsors Altus Foundation, the host committee and members of Arthritis Foundation Board.

Fiona Cunningham, director of community advancement, Arthritis Foundation Houston, reminded guests that arthritis remains the leading cause of disability in the U.S., robbing one in five adults and 300,000 children of living life to its fullest because of debilitating pain. She reiterated that unless this trend is reversed, by 2030 an estimated 67 million Americans will suffer from arthritis, which is why it is so important to bring groundbreaking and innovative therapies to the forefront of medicine.

Here is the original post:
Houston Salon Series Breaking Science; Breaking Silence draws prominent guests in support of Arthritis Foundation