WBKO Transcript
Barren County Family Hoping to Help Son's Autism with Stem Cells Save Email Print
Posted: 6:37 PM Jul 27, 2009
Last Updated: 6:46 PM Jul 27, 2009
Reporter: Daniel Kemp
Email Address: daniel.kemp@wbko.com
0 comments
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The family of a young boy is hoping to help fight their son's battle with autism, with an experimental stem cells procedure.
Since the treatment is not approved by the FDA in the U.S., they'll have to go to Peru for it.
At just 18-months, little Cameron Hall was diagnosed with autism.
His mother has researched the condition tirelessly and is now hoping this new procedure will open up the doors in her son's young life.
"He's very intelligent. He's extremely intelligent, but he can't express that," said Dana Emmitt-Hall, who is Cameron's mother.
Four-year-old Cameron is fighting a battle with autism.
"Children with autism do not engage socially, the way you and I would engage socially," Emmitt-Hall said.
Dana says Cameron often keeps to himself and has trouble eating.
"We can't go out to eat, we can't go to the movies or amusement parks," she said.
So she's hoping an experimental stem cells procedure will help.
"You don't leave a stone unturned. You try everything that you know to try, anything that you think will help," she said.
A neurosurgeon will inject stem cells into Cameron's spinal cord taken from cord blood banks, here in the U.S.
But it's a decision Dana hasn't made without advice.
"I would say from where we were to where we are now, she's improved 30-percent," said Tami Milam.
Tami Milam's daughter, Ava, suffered a fetal stroke at birth, affecting her speech and movement.
Ava underwent the same procedure last year, and now at age two she can grab with her hands and move her tiny feet.
"I firmly believe the stem cell treatment Ava had in November kept her from having seizures," Milam said.
And both Tami and Dana agree, the stem cell treatment isn't a cure but it's certainly a shot at improvement.
The cost of Cameron's procedure is about $12,500 so the Corvette City Bop Club is stepping in to help.
The organization, along with the Fraternal Order of Police is sponsoring a "Cameron's Heroes Fundraiser Dance."
The dance will take place this Friday from 7-11p.m. at the FOP Lodge in Bowling Green and costs $7 a person.
Also, donations can be made for Cameron's procedure to:
James Cameron Duncan Hall Special Needs Trust Fund at any U.S. Bank location
ON THE WEB
www.stemcellregenmed.com
www.cameronsjourney.blogspot.com
Posted: 6:37 PM Jul 27, 2009
Last Updated: 6:46 PM Jul 27, 2009
Reporter: Daniel Kemp
Email Address: daniel.kemp@wbko.com
0 comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The family of a young boy is hoping to help fight their son's battle with autism, with an experimental stem cells procedure.
Since the treatment is not approved by the FDA in the U.S., they'll have to go to Peru for it.
At just 18-months, little Cameron Hall was diagnosed with autism.
His mother has researched the condition tirelessly and is now hoping this new procedure will open up the doors in her son's young life.
"He's very intelligent. He's extremely intelligent, but he can't express that," said Dana Emmitt-Hall, who is Cameron's mother.
Four-year-old Cameron is fighting a battle with autism.
"Children with autism do not engage socially, the way you and I would engage socially," Emmitt-Hall said.
Dana says Cameron often keeps to himself and has trouble eating.
"We can't go out to eat, we can't go to the movies or amusement parks," she said.
So she's hoping an experimental stem cells procedure will help.
"You don't leave a stone unturned. You try everything that you know to try, anything that you think will help," she said.
A neurosurgeon will inject stem cells into Cameron's spinal cord taken from cord blood banks, here in the U.S.
But it's a decision Dana hasn't made without advice.
"I would say from where we were to where we are now, she's improved 30-percent," said Tami Milam.
Tami Milam's daughter, Ava, suffered a fetal stroke at birth, affecting her speech and movement.
Ava underwent the same procedure last year, and now at age two she can grab with her hands and move her tiny feet.
"I firmly believe the stem cell treatment Ava had in November kept her from having seizures," Milam said.
And both Tami and Dana agree, the stem cell treatment isn't a cure but it's certainly a shot at improvement.
The cost of Cameron's procedure is about $12,500 so the Corvette City Bop Club is stepping in to help.
The organization, along with the Fraternal Order of Police is sponsoring a "Cameron's Heroes Fundraiser Dance."
The dance will take place this Friday from 7-11p.m. at the FOP Lodge in Bowling Green and costs $7 a person.
Also, donations can be made for Cameron's procedure to:
James Cameron Duncan Hall Special Needs Trust Fund at any U.S. Bank location
ON THE WEB
www.stemcellregenmed.com
www.cameronsjourney.blogspot.com