Sunday, August 24, 2008

Would you save a life if you had the chance?

A few weeks back, my batchmates and I were shown a video on Parkinson's disease, to help us understand the symptoms present in affected patients. Halfway through the screening, I was trying not to break down and cry. This may seem a bit of an exagerated reaction to a video. But seeing each patient's helplessness in controlling his/her body movements (dyskinesia due to medication side effects), and slow initiation of voluntary movements, made me feel much more than just a little sorry for them.

Neurodegenerative disorders are treatable with medication, but not curable. Medicines can only do so much. They are able to slow down brain cells dying, but they cannot halt the process completely. Makes me wonder what more I can do as a pharmacist in the future, other than dispense medicines and counsel patients about such disorders.

C_elle_kit_image

{Click on the picture to view its full size }

This brings us to an alternative to drugs - stem cell technology. C'elle has done a research which shows existence of self-renewing stem cells in menstrual fluid. About the Science, such stem cells can be preserved and used in the future to grow specific required body cells, such as bone cells, skin cells, and possibly neurons too. This provides a medical breakthrough, whereby hope can be given to patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsons, as well as other diseases like stroke and diabetes.

I do not doubt that health is your first priority in life. Sometimes, our journey in life may force us on to unexpected turns, with no turning-backs. Therefore, do think about investing in your personal future healthcare and well-being.

Watch C'elle Client Testimonial. Think of the number of deaths that can be prevented if more people knew about this stem cell option.

Sponsored by C'elle

1 comment:

Bobbie Dawn said...

Hi sing-yee,

I think your post was much more personal than mine - I really enjoyed it.

BD