BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

                        Nancy Brandon was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease in 1999.  Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive movement disorder marked by tremors, rigidity, slow movements, and posture instability.  For several years a dopamine replacement drug worked to eliminate the major symptoms of PD for Nancy.  Unfortunately, over time, this medicine became less effective.  Nancy began to experience major fluctuation; from feeling “frozen” (heavy limbs, weak, disoriented) to “Dyskinesia” (impairment in the ability to control movements, characterized by spasmodic or repetitive motions).    

    

                        In July 2007, Nancy discovered The Institute of Cellular Medicine http://www.cellmedicine.com in San Jose, Costa Rica and learned that they are successfully treating Parkinson’s patients with adult stem cell technology.   On September 22^nd, with the help of generous donations and loans from friends and family, Nancy traveled to Costa Rica and received the stem cell treatment.  The trip and treatment cost Nancy $24,000.

 

                            Although Nancy had signs of regeneration in many areas of her body immediately following the treatment, 11 months after the treatment she had not shown any positive changes in the Parkinson's Disease. 

 

                        In August 2008 Nancy learned that the Institute for Cellular Medicine had developed a new protocol for administering the stem cell treatment because it appears that the blood/brain barrier prohibited the stem cells from entering the brain when injected into the blood stream.  The new treatment uses umbilical cord blood cells and injects them into the spinal fluid.  Nancy is awaiting word from the clinic regarding her ability to receive the new treatment this year.  She will be in Costa Rica from September 2008 until spring of 2009 contact her by email.