Dr. Wise Young to make June 5 return appearance to discuss umbilical cord blood stem cell clinical trials

Dr. Wise Young

If you missed out on his May 1st presentation co-sponsored by NorCal SCI, you’re in luck as renowned researcher Dr. Wise Young will once again be on stage for a Fri., June 5th virtual presentation of his research and the upcoming FDA-approved clinical trials around the use of umbilical cord blood stem cell therapies to help develop a cure for those individuals with long-term spinal cord injuries between C5-T11 ASIA A Complete. The presentation is co-sponsored by the Southern California-based Triumph Foundation and the W. M. Keck Center’s First Friday Open House program.

The virtual presentation starts at 4:30 p.m. PDT and you must register HERE to attend this Zoom virtual presentation as the number of registrants is limited. The two-hour event will feature Dr. Young presenting for an hour followed by a one-hour Q&A session.

Dr. Young’s FDA-approved clinical trials involve the use of the umbilical cord blood stem cells for those 18-65 years old with chronic spinal cord injuries of C5-T11 ASIA A (Complete) that have been injured more than a year and are able to stand in a standing frame or tilt table for at least one hour daily. These trials are the first of their kind to use stem cells specifically for chronically-injured individuals. You can read more about Dr. Young’s work HERE.

Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells. The umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells include most of the stem cells and monocytes. These cells release growth factors that stimulate regeneration in the spinal cord.

TO APPLY FOR ENROLLMENT IN THIS CLINICAL TRIAL: The FDA has granted approval for this clinical trial with 27 subjects. Neurosurgeons are reluctant to inject above C5 because of the phrenic nucleus which if damaged, it could result in diaphragm paralysis preventing the individual from being able to regulate breathing on his or her own. Dr Young plans to have a separate trial for high quads after this one. There is no cost to participate in a clinical trial, but if selected, you would have to cover the cost of lodging and transportation in New Jersey (site of the clinical trials) for 6 months. Send e-mail to Jim Bennett who will add you to his list to be alerted when recruitment begins: jimbenn@rutgers.edu