Tag Archives: mesenchymal

♦ Patient Power Can Accelerate Access to Stem Cell Therapy

You may know from this blog that Patients For Stem Cells (PFSC) is a grassroots effort by patients who want to advance the progress of stem cell therapy. This therapy is an ideal candidate for the accelerated access programs being called for, from the wave of state laws granting “Right To Try” experimental therapies, to the “21st Century Cures Act” moving quickly through Congress.

AACT.coPFSC is pleased to announce we have joined forces with an organization founded with the goal of accelerating access to life saving cellular therapy, The Alliance for the Advancement of Cellular Therapies (AACT)

We’re inviting PFSC subscribers to join AACT as well. They have generously waived the patient membership fee to kick off this partnership!

To join go to AACT.co, click the Membership option and register for Citizen/Patient Membership – Free!

AACT is organizing the Chicago Stem Cell Showcase Sept 17-18. This is where the doctors and researchers in cellular therapy are gathering to explore “The Dilemma of Difficult Diseases: Cell Therapies to the Rescue?”

The Speakers are medical professionals at the forefront of cellular medicine, They need our support for sticking their necks out, in a regulatory environment that has been less than accommodating. We can do this by building a strong member base for AACT.

Members will get access to resources including:

  • Clinical trial information and statistics
  • Regulatory information and advocacy
  • Informative newsletter
  • Patient forums
  • Access to conference videos

After the Chicago conference, the presentation videos are going to be an incredible education resource for members. Take a look at the packed Agenda, you may see your own illness is going to be addressed by an expert in the field.

Cellular therapy is rarely covered by insurance in the U.S. except for blood cancers. Accelerated access programs are needed in the U.S., similar to what Europe and Japan are already adopting. Starting with difficult diseases for which there are few medical options, like ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Critical Limb Ischemia, Stroke, Heart Disease and many more. Tracking results of patients enrolled in accelerated access can speed approval and insurance coverage.

One of the founding members of PFSC, SammyJo Wilkinson, has volunteered to serve as Patient Advisory Board Chairman for AACT. She is a stem cell patient herself, and knows the frustration patients face. “The AACT patient portal is where patients can get the facts on cellular therapy in plain language. Then they can make better decisions before joining a medical trial, or spending money on therapies not yet covered by insurance. I am thrilled to be part of the PFSC and ACCT partnership!”

SammyJo will be communicating with members as the AACT website develops these resources, and will represent patient opinions to the Executive Board – especially on FDA issues. If you have opinions or want to get involved now in the advocacy process, send SammyJo an email at info@AACT.co

By becoming a member and inviting others to join, you can “AACT Now” to make a difference!

We encourage you to join the discussion in social media and give us your feedback!

AACT Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn AACT.co

PFSC Facebook Twitter
Want to become a member of Patients For Stem Cells? Just subscribe to our blog!


 

Access To Stem Cell Therapy: Progress In 2015

Patients For Stem Cells (PFSC) is a group of patients faced with no-option medical conditions. Many of us have been early adopters of stem cell therapy, and are only here today because it saved our lives. Frustrated by slow adoption in the U.S, we advocate for expedited access. We are very pleased to share with our readers that 2015 has brought watershed changes in legislation that lays the foundation to implement this goal. Leaders in the regenerative medicine field have outlined how access can become a reality. Implementation in on the horizon, and will be in focus at this landmark conference.

The Alliance for the Advancement of Cellular Therapies (AACT), organizer of this event, is a welcome new ally, the bridge between patients, government and regenerative medicine leaders who can finally make real change happen. ACCT is dedicated to the ethical, efficacious, and expeditious advancement of cell therapies.
To help spread awareness and education about cellular therapy, AACT can send a personal conference invite to your doctor, send a request to info@AACT.co

Kathy Hebert

Patients are core stakeholders of ACCT, thanks to President and Co-Founder Kathy Hebert.Her personal experience with life-changing cellular therapies ignited her passion to bring everyone together to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.
For the conference, Kathy has brought together a group of presenters, keynoted by Arnold Caplan,Ph.D. Mark Holterman, MD. Ph.D.ACCT Chairman and Co-Founder, and Paolo Macchiarini, MD, Ph.D

Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Leading up to the conference we will profile the contributions these luminaries have already made to the lives of patients, as architects of accelerated access, and best in-class clinicians utilizing cell therapy to address difficult disease such as heart failure, auto immune disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, osteoarthritis, and more.

Presenters will also include those involved in legislation that swept the nation as 22 states passed “Right To Try” laws for terminally ill patients to access experimental therapies, including biologics like stem cells. Then on July 10th, 2015 the 21st Century Cures Act was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, also addressing ways to speed regenerative medicine access. Now is the time for us to dive into the details of all these initiatives, and make sure our best interests as patients are met.

A special thank you to Dr. Camillo Ricordi for publishing the Proceedings of the AACT conference in

CellR4

We encourage you to join the discussion in social media and give us your feedback!

AACT Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn AACT.co

PFSC Facebook Twitter
Want to become a member of Patients For Stem Cells? Just subscribe to our blog!


 

Preserve Access To Stem Cell Therapy In Europe

Click to endorse STEMSO letter.

Click to endorse the STEMSO letter.

Patients For Stem Cells asks our subscribers to endorse STEMSO’s letter to the European Medicine Agency. Help STEMSO protect access to cellular therapies for patients. To view the letter and endorse Click Here

The new EMA classification impacts ALL cellular therapies. It addresses “borderline” situations, essentially not allowing access to cellular therapies. Transplants are the exception to the new classifications, such as a liver transplant or a pancreas transplant. This new regulatory document effects all plastic surgeons, medical device companies, orthopedics, physicians, and all regenerative medicine prospective patients.

STEMSO has spent a great deal of time drafting a “collective” response and has placed the letter on our website . We are asking for “endorsements” of this letter to show the EMA CAT Committee that this letter represents the opinion of many.

The International Stem Cell Society, STEMSO, is a member based, international, non-profit 501(c) 6 trade association for the purpose of promoting the interests of the global, adult stem cell healthcare industry while linking patients and stakeholders with member medical organizations. STEMSO provides information, education, resources, advocacy and public awareness for the advancement of the adult stem cell industry.

Join the discussion! STEMSO on Facebook

For questions, contact:
Kathy Hebert, CEO/Co-Founder
Kathy@stemso.org
864-353-5781
stemso.org