Main Menu
Search


Advanced Search

Article Options
 »  Home  »  Newsletters  »  April  »  APRIL 2005 Newsletter
 »  Home  »  Newsletters  »  2005  »  APRIL 2005 Newsletter
APRIL 2005 Newsletter
Published  04/1/2005 | April , 2005
Page 2

THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER


Derby City Area Chapter
of the
National Spinal Cord Injury Association


ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Derby City Area Chapter of the N.S.C.I.A. is a membership organization for individuals with spinal cord injuries, their families, and health professionals. Founded in 1984 as a Charter Member of the N.S.C.I.A., it was incorporated under IRS Section 501 (c) 3 as a not for profit organization. The Board of Directors consists of the Officers, Past President and the Board Members At Large.

***

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
David Allgood - (502) 589-6620

VICE PRESIDENT
Adam Ford - (502) 425-2206

TREASURER
Tom Stokes- (502) 957-5865

LIAISON TO FRAZIER INSTITUTE
Dr. Bill Kraft – (502) 582-5865

FUNDRAISING CHAIR
Betty Perry—(502) 647-0368

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY/WEB MASTER
Michael Feger- (502) 647-0368

PAST PRESIDENT
Adam Ford- (502) 425-2206

BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE-
Mike Perry
Kelly Young

NSCIA
DERBY CITY CHAPTER
NEWSLETTER

Editor- Barbara Davis

Contributor- David Allgood

 

Medicare-Approved Discount Cards, Cont'd

to Medicare beneficiaries with low income. For those who qualify, Medicare beneficiaries will pay only a $15 flat fee per prescription for up to a 30-day supply of many Pfizer medicines. For medicines made by Pfizer and the other participating companies, income can be up to $18,620 for a single person and up to $24,980 for a couple to qualify for the additional savings.

The U Share Card is just one of many discount cards currently available to people with Medicare. Because of the potential discounts and added savings provided by pharmaceutical companies, it is important that all Medicare beneficiaries are aware of the program and enroll in the card that is best for them. Not choosing a card is the wrong choice because Medicare beneficiaries may be missing out on real savings.

For more information on the U Share Card, call 1-800-707-3914 or 1-866-234-4138 (TTY) or visit
www.usharex.com.

The following is from The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis newsletter.

CLINICAL STUDIES ABROAD: WHAT CAN WE LEARN?

Recently there has been news from various countries of the effects of transplanting olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) into people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Of note to the scientific community are anecedotal reports that people who have undergone these procedures have had improvements in sensory and Motor function within the first days after the procedures. While there is interest within the scientific community, these reports are leading to more questions than scientific answers.

Several studies in animals support the idea that OEC transplants may increase function, thus leading some doctors in other countries to offer such treatments. Because these experimental surgical procedures are both invasive and permanent, many scientists feel that transplanting these cells in humans is premature. There are numerous questions about the effectiveness of the procedures and concerns about potential adverse effects. The Miami Project has taken the position that there may be an opportunity to advance scientific knowledge from these clinical experiences if more comprehensive information can be obtained. The following explains this position in relation to one of these experimental procedures.

One experimental transplant that has gained the attention of people with SCI, the media, and scientists is that of Dr. Hongyun Huang in Bejing, China. In February 2004, representatives from the Miami Project had attended the Clinical Trials Workshop sponsored by the International Campaign for Cures of Spinal Cord Paralysis (ICCP) where Dr. Huang was among several clinicians who presented their

(Continued On Page Four)