The
Joplin Globe reports on the amazing
story of Rylea Barlett who was born blind but can now recognize her mother’s
face thanks to transplanted umbilical cord (adult) stem cells. Here is an excerpt from the story:
Rylea could be the first patient anywhere with optic-nerve
hypoplasia to benefit from stem-cell transplants from umbilical cords.
Larry Brothers, her optometrist in Joplin, said: “Her optic nerves did not work.
They would not send light back to the brain. People with optic-nerve hypoplasia
never develop vision. This is the first case ever — since the Bible — where
someone’s sight has been restored.
The
American Chronicle reports on the desperate need for more mothers to donate
their babies' umbilical cords so that these rich sources of adult stem cells can
continue to be used for cures and treatments (like they were for Rylea
mentioned above). Be sure to share this
information with any expecting couples you might know.
Rylea Barlett, age 6, who was born
blind, can now respond to light thanks to umbilical cord stem cells.
Picture: Globe/T.
Rob Brown