Our patient stories.

Editor’s Note: Deborah received human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells

My name is Deborah, from Southern California.

Occupation: Certified Interior Designer with a Masters degree in Interior Design.

Diagnosis: Patella chondromalacia with thinning of cartilage, mostly involving the medial facet and at the median. There is early degenerative changes with small marginal spurs involving the femoral patellar compartment and the medial and lateral femorotibial compartments. There is no fracture, osteochondral or loose body. Also localized inflammation of the Hoffa’s fat pad, anterior to the transverse. (All of these findings were from an MRI taken on June 15, 2011).

Symptoms before treatment: severe pain, difficulty in walking, bending, standing, sitting, exercising, sleeping…life was not fun.

Treatments/drugs: Aleve, Tylenol, Celebrex, acupuncture, physical therapy, custom brace, ace elastic braces, interviewed /consults with three independent orthopedic surgeons, possible knee replacement, arthroscopic surgery to mend torn meniscus.

My friend and ballroom dance competitor, Dr. Janet Vaughan convinced me after I had been researching other alternatives here in the United States for over a year, to contact Dr. Barnett at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama to see if I was a candidate for stem cell therapy. Janet was kind enough to email Dr. Barnett for me and tell her I would be filling out the paperwork online and sending it to her ASAP. Dr. Barnett was extremely responsive and my husband and I soon had a conference call with Dr. Paz Rodriguez. He was kind, gracious and patient with all of our questions. We were soon on our way with an appointment to have stem cell therapy in Panama City, Panama!

I am now able to get back to my competitive ballroom dancing and doing well! I have less pain going up and down stairs (even though I am careful and always aware of my knees), I walk easier, exercise and am back to a normal life style. Am I at 100% ? No…but at 62 years old and being athletic all my life with snow skiing, water skiing, volleyball, tennis, racquetball, zoomba and other athletic movements I feel terrific even if I am at 80-90% of my capability! We are back to travelling the world and I am thrilled… I am living my life! And my knee is not dictating my life.

Impression of the clinic: The doctors, staff and driver, Javier were fabulous!!! Everyone made me and my husband feel comfortable and all were compassionate, personable, professional, helpful, friendly and always welcome to keep in touch! They always welcomed all of our questions and never made us feel uncomfortable in asking! Dr. Hernandez was with me all the way and gave me his cell number 24/7 and helped me through the language barrier since my Spanish is quiet weak! Everyone was just great!!!

What would I tell someone considering stem cell therapy: Do your homework… research and get referrals! You have nothing to lose and a life to gain! The Stem Cell Institute is terrific in their work and research! I have told many of my friends and individuals who find out through others that I had stem cell therapy. Unfortunately none have moved forward and try other options and still have no results…I feel sorry for them! Some do…and some do not.

WICHITA, Kansas – September 10, 2014

Ryan Benton, 28, was diagnosed with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy (DMD) when he was three.

“It’s a progressive disease where the body lacks protein called dystrophen and dystrophen helps build and maintain muscles,” said Ryan Benton.

The disease is primarily found in boys and causes the muscles to weaken and lose function. It’s the reason Ryan has spent most of this life in a wheelchair.

Ryan and his family searched for 19 years before they found their first glimpse of hope in fighting the effects of the disease.

“You know we crossed are fingers and always prayed for something like this,” said Ryan.

That hope meant flying to South America, to visit Dr. Neil Riordan and his team at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama for treatments. There, Ryan was injected with mesenchymal stem cells that are found in umbilical cords.

“In Ryan’s case, they secrete molecules that stimulate his muscles to grow,” said Dr. Riordan. “He doesn’t have the right molecules to stimulate his muscles to grow. These cells have the most potent regenerative capacity of any tool in our tool box right now. I really look forward to opening the door for other therapies like it.”

Dr. Riordan says although this isn’t a cure, this procedure has shown promise in reversing the course of many diseases like muscular dystrophy. Ryan made seven such trips to South America for treatments, but it wasn’t enough to see the progress Dr. Riordan knew he was capable of. That’s why he, along with Dr. Van Strickland, an allergy and immunology specialist in Wichita, worked to get the FDA’s approval to bring Ryan’s treatments to Wichita.

“To use this type of cell is absolutely a first for the US,” said Dr. Rierdon.

Tuesday, Ryan started a trial officially called “Allogeneic transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for a single male patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.” Ryan is the only patient allowed to use this experimental treatment in the U at this point. According to the FDA agreement, he’ll receive 24 treatments in Wichita from Dr. Strickland over the next three years.

Ryan’s family says he’s living proof the treatments work.

“Seeing where he was before the treatments and seeing where he is now, you couldn’t believe it,” said his brother Blake. “With this treatment, if you continue at the rate that it’ll allow, there’s no reason that years down the road he shouldn’t be able to start a rehab process that allows him to start walking again. I know that’s a huge goal, but I’m not afraid to dream big.”

Ryan wants others to benefit the way he has.

“I want so badly for every parent, once their kid is diagnosed with a disease like mine, to be able to just go get treated,” he said. “It would be something that 20 years later the kid says to the parent, ‘Didn’t I have muscular dystrophy when I was younger?’ The parent would say ‘Ya, you did, but we got it treated.’ That would be amazing to me.”

Saturday the 13th, the Benton family will hold their 6th annual “Coming Together for a Cure” benefit concert. There will be stand up comedy, along with performances by classic rock, bluegrass and country music bands. The benefit is at 5280 N. Maize Road, Maize, KS. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and is $15 for advance tickets at Mel Hambelton Ford, $20 for tickets the day of the event. All proceeds goes to the Aidan Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Riordan in 2004 to provide financial assistance for alternative therapies to people like Ryan. CLICK HERE for more.

By Travis Khachatoorian
Created: Mon, 05 May 2014 10:21:00 MST
Updated: Mon, 05 May 2014 11:27:10 MST

CLIFTON, Colo. – Even with all the advances in medical sciences over the years, multiple sclerosis remains mysterious in both causes and symptoms. There is no known cure for the disease, but one Clifton resident isn’t waiting on the US government anymore and is planning to fly to Panama for a stem cell therapy.

Pam Claypoole was diagnosed with MS almost a decade ago and has slowly lost the feeling in her legs and right arm. She said since the FDA currently doesn’t approve any stem cell therapies for her disease, she’s planning a second trip to Panama in hopes to improve her condition.

Claypoole said she’s made one trip to the Stem Cell Institute in Panama more than a year ago and was amazed by the effects.

“I felt it made a big difference for me right away,” said Claypoole. “My walking was better, the feeling in my feet was better, I had more energy.”

She emphasized her treatment doesn’t involve unborn fetus stem cells but rather the stem cells taken from healthy birthed babies umbilical cords.

Her family is currently planning a live auction on May 14th at the Western Slope Cattleman’s Livestock Auction in Loma. The event starts at 6 pm, and they’re hoping to collect $20,000 dollars to fund Pam’s therapy in Central America.

more…

Sam Harrell was coaching football at Ennis High School in Texas when he was struck hard by a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. His 2005 diagnosis forced him to retire and sent him on a years-long journey looking for a solution. Following several rounds of stem cell therapy in Panama at the Stem Cell Institute, Sam has returned to coaching football—something he thought he would never be able to do again.

Stem cell therapy for MS changed Sam Harrell’s life. He has been kind enough to send us this video documenting his progress from 2010 to 2014. With this video, Sam hopes to show others the life-changing power of stem cell treatment.

Celebrated Football Coach Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

Sam Harrell is one of the most celebrated high school football coaches in Texas. He led the Ennis Lions to 13 playoffs and won three state titles. That was until being diagnosed with MS. He began experiencing symptoms of the autoimmune disease in 2005. As it progressed, Sam gradually lost mobility until he decided to retire.

Like other autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis caused Sam’s immune system to attack the healthy cells in his body. The disease is known for attacking the myelin sheath that protects the nerve fibers responsible for communication between the brain and body. Symptoms can vary widely from patient to patient, making it difficult to diagnose in many cases.

To learn how stem cell treatment for MS may be able to help you, click here!

Not one to give up easily, Sam stayed open to the possibility of treatment. This eventually led him to stem cell therapy for MS. Although hope was in sight, it was still a long road to recovery. Sam required three treatments before he saw the full effect of stem cells on his body.

Neil Riordan, PA, Ph.D., is the founder of Stem Cell Institute. He was cautiously optimistic about Sam’s case, understanding that MS is a complex condition that affects people in different ways. He said of this particular case, “It seems like he got the maximum benefit during his third treatment.”

Click here to learn more about how stem cells helped Sam Harrell get off the bench! 

Sam Harrell Receives Stem Cell Therapy for MS

Sam’s video is a perfect example of how life-changing stem cell therapy can be. His homemade video begins in June of 2010, five years after he received his diagnosis. 

MS had taken its toll on Sam’s body, reducing him to 159 lbs with:

• No muscle
• No balance
• No coordination

You can see the concentration and focus on Sam’s face as he struggles through mobility exercises. Despite working with a professional, he was still struggling eight months later as he slowly went through his exercises. His condition only continued to worsen after that. 

Everything changed after his trips to Stem Cell Institute in Panama. We see a very different Sam Harrell in 2014. He regained his strength and mobility, moving his body with the ease and confidence you would expect from a championship coach. Sam’s weight has also improved by gaining 20 lbs during this time as well as 10.2% body fat.

Sam Harrell’s life has changed drastically since stem cell therapy for MS. He says that he’s feeling good and moving great. Most important of all, he’s coaching again! After working as an offensive coordinator for Fort Worth Christian and Southwestern Assemblies of God between 2014 and 2017, Sam officially returned to being the Ennis Lions’ head coach in 2018.

Are you ready to learn how stem cell therapy may be able to help you? Click here to apply today!

Sam Harrell was forced to retire from coaching high school football after being diagnosed with MS in 2005. Since then, he has received stem cell treatment and has seen a huge improvement in his condition. He sent us a homemade video of his progress to share so you can see firsthand the difference stem cell therapy made in his life. Now, he’s coaching football again!

Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama is at the forefront of applied stem cell research. Since our inception in 2006, we have performed over 25,000 procedures, helping thousands of families across the United States and around the world embrace the opportunity for a better life. Our medical team prioritizes the health and well-being of all our patients through top-notch stem cell treatment and care.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2014 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Jamie Richie discussed her treatments and improvements while undergoing her third round of stem cell therapy at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama.

Jamie’s first round of treatment comprised 8 intrathecal (into the spinal fluid) infusions of human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC); 4 intravenous infusions of hUC-MSC; 2 intrathecal infusions of autologous (their own) bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC); 2 intravenous injections of BMMC and 19 physical therapy sessions over the course of one month. Her second round of treatments comprised half the infusions of the first.

My name is Jamie Richie. This is my third treatment here. I was diagnosed with a L-1 injury. That was back in January 1st, 2010.

What symptoms did you have before you came for treatment?

I had no movement from my L-1 level down. As far as my right leg, I couldn’t stand on it at all without a brace. If I had a brace on it I could stand and I could walk and all, with braces; and a more aggressive brace. My pain was very strong. My legs; the circulation was worse in my legs. Their color, they were very purple. I could not walk on a treadmill. I had a hard time walking on uneven ground.

What kind of improvements have you experienced since your first treatment?

I’ve improved. I’ve had like five major things after my very first treatment, which was a year ago in January. I was able to stand on my right leg without a brace and walk. My pain level dropped between a 10 down to a 6. It’s controllable. The circulation in my legs; my balance is better. I can carry things while walking with a walker. I can transfer something from one counter to the next. I can be in my kitchen, hold onto the counter and stand and get out a glass out of the cabinets. I can walk on a treadmill and I am actually able to walk three speeds higher than when I first started walking. So I’ve had great gains there. After my second treatment, I was able to walk even stronger on my right leg. I have better bladder control. I got better bladder control out of the first treatment. And I noticed that I didn’t get a whole lot until about two months after the treatment.

How has this experience changed your life?

This experience has changed my life, just one, the nerve pain. I’m more comfortable driving. I can walk barefoot on my right leg without any braces or… It’s just nice being able to walk barefoot. Being able to get onto the treadmill, that’s huge for me. I don’t have to drive to a park or a track and walk on a track. I can get on the treadmill and keep a good pace and keep better tracking of what my progress is. For my balance, being able to stand and take my clothes out of my washing machine and put them in my dryer to standing in the kitchen and being able to take a pan that has water in it and put it in the sink. I was unable to do any of that. If I were standing, would have to have help. Transferring, you know, something from one counter to the next. Walking on uneven ground is big for a life change. If someone comes to the house to pick me up, walking to the car. To be able to walk into a store, I can go to the grocery store, walk in, get into a power chair and do all my grocery shopping there. So, get back onto the walker and get back into my car. It’s given me more independence, which is very big for me.

What would you say to someone who is considering this treatment?

It’s not going to hurt you to try it. It’s going to hurt you not to try it. If I could suggest anything, I would just say as soon as you’re better from your injury where you are not in any more pain and able to get to therapy, I would go. And I would go as soon as you can. Otherwise, you’re going to sit back and go, “Gee what if I wouldn’t of? What if I had gotten?“ There are a lot of people to talk to. There are people who didn’t gain anything. I have not spoken to anybody who didn’t gain anything off a spinal cord injury. Do your homework. It’s worth it and it doesn’t hurt. I mean, it doesn’t hurt me. I can feel completely my whole back. So when I get the injections in my spine… The anesthesiologist is excellent. The doctor is excellent. I will have close to 20 injections in my back and I have had no bad experiences at all. I’ve had no negative side effects at all, none. I’ve only had positive side effects.

The names in this interview have been changed at the parents’ request to maintain privacy.

The following is a transcription of an interview with A.R. and S.R. regarding their son “Billy”. “Billy” was diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) just before his second birthday in February 2011. Since that time, “Billy” has received several courses of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells at the Stem Cell Institute.

“In general, his improvements have been so great that the school is advising a repeat assessment to see if he still fits under the diagnosis of ASD.”

What kind of ASD symptoms did “Billy” have before his stem cell treatments?

His symptoms included temper tantrums that resembled seizures lasting 30 to 45 minutes at a time. He was hyperactive and sometimes unintentionally violent in his play. He had very poor eye contact. He did not answer to his name. His dietary habits were very limited.

How has “Billy” improved since his last round of treatments?

Thus far, he has had three Rx cycles at the Center: July, 2012 (age 3y-4mo), March 2013 (age 4y) and Feb 2014 (age 4y, 11 mo). Each time he showed rather sudden improvements in almost all areas of prior difficulties. After his first treatment, 90% of the tantrums disappeared within two weeks. His eye contact suddenly improved. He became much more aware of his surroundings – almost as if he just woke from a half sleep state. He started playing with his father for first time and with his twin somewhat. Transitions were much easier. Speech improved. He started greeting his therapists by name each day. We did not tell the therapists of the stem cell Rx as we wanted to get an unbiased feedback on his progress. They were rather surprised at the sudden change in his cognition and behavior. He still had some issues like not initiating play with his twin or other kids. His eye contact was much improved but not quite the same level as expected of his age group. Reciprocal conversation was also limited. After his second Rx he started to initiate play with his sib and other kids. Tantrums completely disappeared. Transition issues and general parental compliance improved. He started attending JK class in Sept 2014. He was assessed by a clinical psychologist for his post IBI evaluation in Oct 2014. Overall, he had showed considerable improvements, especially in non-verbal learning abilities as these were now on par as expected for normal kids his age (45’th percentile). However, his verbal learning abilities remained compromised (8’th percentile). His main limiting factors were his attention span and his diet remained somewhat limited. After his third Rx in Feb 2014, we have thus far noticed remarkable improvement in his diet. He is now eating sometimes even better than his normal twin. His language seems to be further along with more complex sentences. Hyperactivity and focus has also improved and we are only one month post Rx at the time of writing of this feedback. In general, his improvements have been so great that the school is advising a repeat assessment to see if he still fits under the diagnosis of ASD. We are awaiting an appointment for this some time later this year.

What kind of treatments and/or therapies did you try before coming to Panama for stem cell therapy?

Following the diagnosis, we attended parental workshops to help these types of kids with speech and other developmental issues. We began taking him daily to Ontario Early Years centers where “Billy” could be exposed to other normal kids his age group so can join in on children’s activities. His speech improved a bit with this exposure. However, he would not play with the other children. Nine months after his diagnosis, he was accepted into the Themes Valley Autism Treatment program. They started sending in IBI therapists to work with “Billy” for about 6 hours per weekday. He made a little bit further progress in language but eye contact remained extremely poor. Temper tantrums were still a major issue. Transitions remained very difficult. Diet remained very limited. He did not play with his normal (non-identical) twin or other kids.

How did you find the clinic and what made you decide upon the Stem Cell Institute?

We found the Panama clinic by researching for additional modalities of treatment. We reviewed some of the candid discussions and videos of families of former patients of the clinic. We queried the medical officers at the clinic to ensure cell samples were screened thoroughly for blood borne pathogens. We finally decided to go ahead with the treatment as “Billy” clearly would not have had a very happy life if we continued with only behavioral therapy. We also were afraid he may unintentionally harm his normal twin due to his sudden violent movements and outbursts.

Ken Kelley visits the Amen Clinic in New York following umbilical cord-derived stem cell treatments at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama. Ken has shown remarkable improvements. See his before and after qEEGs.

https://www.cellmedicine.com/stem-cell-therapy-for-autism-amazing-qeeg-results-of-kenneth-kelley/

https://www.cellmedicine.com/stem-cell-treatments-for-autism-kenneth-kelley/

https://www.cellmedicine.com/kenneth-kelley-tv-news-story/

Dear Jay, thank you for asking me to share my comments. Unfortunately, I am a very private person, I do not want my name, email or anything else posted on a public forum. You may post the email on your web site, with my name and email redacted (deleted at owner request). Then if a specific person wants to email me that is OK for you to give it to them. I am sorry I cannot be more accommodating. T.C. [redacted]

My over all results are very good, my knee does not hurt (95% less pain) I never wear a knee support any more. My back is also much better (85-90% less pain). My hip, I walk around my apt w/out my cane all the time. (90% less pain). Dr. D. [redacted] told me the main reason to get a hip replacement is due to pain &/or lack of mobility. He said since I experience neither, he would not recommend a hip replacement at this time. Given, that before I started stem cell therapy, I was told I should have had a hip replacement 2 years prior, this is amazing.

So. overall I am very glad I did the treatments.

Thanks, T.C. [redacted]