Brave Glasgow mum’s desperate bid to raise funds for MS treatment in Mexico – Evening Times

A Glasgow mum fears she will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life if she cannot afford vital stem cell treatment abroad.

Sinad Kirkland is desperately trying to raise thousands of pounds to travel to Mexico after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2015.

The 48-year-old, originally from Dublin but has lived in the city for 25 years, was first misdiagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome.

But her family were dealt a devastating blow when Sinad fell poorly four years ago.

She was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she was diagnosed with the illness.

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and spinal chord, and is the number one cause of disability in younger adults.

To make matters worse, the mum-of-one was later diagnosed with Progressive-Relapsing MS, meaning she is in a steadily worsening state with acute relapses but no remissions.

When I was admitted to the RAH in November that year I had no idea MS was or what it would mean for me, Sinad told the Evening Times.

I was very much in the opinion that I could continue as normal, but the reality is thats far from the truth.

There has been a progression of things getting worse, and this year things rapidly declined.

I fear that if nothing is done I will be in a wheelchair within a year or so.

My mobility has been majorly reduced, getting around is very hard.

I have to stop with fatigue and tiredness, my legs just dont work like they used to.

A GoFundMe fundraising page has been set up to help cover costs for Sinad to get chemotherapy with stem cell treatment in Mexico.

Around 13,000 has been raised so far, with the aim to raise around 40,000.

While there is no cure for MS, its hoped the treatment will stop things getting worse.

Sinad says that despite treatment trials in the UK, there is little chance they will be available to her for a few years.

She added: So I have no other choice, I either have to raise the money and try the treatment in Mexico, or just accept that I will be confined to a wheelchair and continue to get worse.

Sinad has praised her amazing 11-year-old daughter Erin for helping her get through the illness.

She added: I have little use left in my right hand, so my husband Fraser has been a massive support he always cooks the meals and works around the house.

Hes been a massive emotional support through it all.

Commenting on the success of the fundraiser so far, she added: The response has been amazing.

My family in Ireland and people over here too have just been so great.

I never believed it would do so well but Im so grateful that it is. Its very humbling.

You can view the fundraiser at here.

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Brave Glasgow mum's desperate bid to raise funds for MS treatment in Mexico - Evening Times

Judge approves further cancer treatment for boy, 5, against father’s wishes – BreakingNews.ie

A five-year-old boy who has cancer with a low survival rate is to have high dose chemotherapy and other treatments urgently in line with the wishes of his mother and treating doctors but against the wishes of his father, the president of the High Court has ordered.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly said he wished the child well, as did all concerned for his welfare, and hoped the curative intent treatment (CIN) will achieve a cure.

"A 10-20% chance of cure even with the undoubted horrible side effects of the treatment is to be preferred to the virtual certainty of death."

The treatment will be carefully monitored and will be discontinued if it proves ineffective or the child cannot tolerate it, he stressed.

The father had opposed the CIN treatment on grounds of limited chance of cure and because the child had not reacted well to earlier chemotherapy. He wanted the boy to instead have palliative intent management and to enjoy what he believed would be the boy's last Christmas with the family.

He said he had told his son, who appears well at present and is asymptomatic, he would not be subject to further chemotherapy.

After intensive discussions, the father had reluctantly agreed before the court the proposed treatment could take place after Christmas but the treating consultant said deferral to 2020 would be with palliative intent because of the risk of the tumour becoming active again and the proposed CIN is already two months behind the recommended time because of the efforts to reach a consensus between the parents.

The boy had told a child psychologist he has "kid cancer" "all around my body" and does not want any more "chemo".

He also said, if the cancer did not go away "on its own", he might have chemo, immediately changed his mind about that, and was aware his parents disagreed about more chemo. His father had given him CBD oil for the cancer, he also said.

In his judgment, Mr Justice Kelly noted the hospital took High Court wardship proceedings following its inability to secure agreement between the parents on treatment. The boy was made a ward of court and his views were represented by the general solicitor for wards of court.

The judge stressed he accepted both parents love their son and want the best for him.

The judge concluded on the evidence it was in the boy's best interests the CIN should be proceeded with.

There is "a strong legal presumption in favour of taking all steps to preserve life", he said.

While that presumption is not irrefutable, the medical experts unanimously believe, on balance, the CIN treatment should proceed, he said.

It would be in line with well-established protocols, will last a year if carried out in full and is "mainstream treatment and not experimental".

While the survival rate is as low as 10-20%, there is a "realistic possibility" of cure and not to have the CIN meant no such possibility.

He found the mother had taken a "balanced and rational" approach and she could understand the importance of the child enjoying Christmas "but not at the price of losing future Christmases".

The father had been "rather more affected by emotion and sentiment than by reason" and had a "very fixed" view on the matter. His wish to give his son a last enjoyable Christmas presupposed the tumour does not become active and his belief in CBD oil was not based on any medical evidence.

In relation to the boy's views, the judge believed he was influenced by his father's approach to "no more chemo" and lacks the maturity or insight to understand his position.

The first element of the treatment is for one month and it could be finished by late November with the effect the boy may have an enjoyable Christmas without treatment, he said.

The boy was diagnosed with a paediatric cancer (HRN) in October 2018. Following an inadequate response to induction chemotherapy, his diagnosis was reclassified as very high risk neuroblastoma (VHRN).

HRN has a five-year survival rate of about 50% and the five-year survival rate for VHRN is 10 to 20%.

The next phase of the proposed treatment involved high dose chemotherapy and stem cell rescue.

Because of the boy's inadequate initial response to treatment, his consultant oncologist proposed to further intensify the chemotherapy. That approach was endorsed by other consultants, including from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.

The judge said the proposed treatment is associated with significant treatment related morbidity, a mortality risk of 2-3% and is "very unpleasant" with "likely" side effects including infection, hair loss, nausea/vomiting and mouth sores and "possible" side effects including a 10% or less chance of liver disease.

The evidence was the proposed CIN is likely to extend survival time and it was recommended on balance by the treating team whose recommendation was accepted by the mother but not the father.

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Judge approves further cancer treatment for boy, 5, against father's wishes - BreakingNews.ie

Bransholme dad diagnosed with cancer weeks after baby arrived desperate to marry ‘amazing’ girlfriend – Hull Daily Mail

A Bransholme dad has vowed to wed his partner after being diagnosed with cancer just six weeks after the birth of their daughter.

Darren Watson, 34, had only just celebrated the arrival of his daughter Amelia in February this year when doctors at Castle Hill Hospital told him about the devastating discovery of a primary mediastinal large b-cell lymphoma in his chest.

The mass, which is the size of a fist and resting above his heart, was quickly treated with chemotherapy, but harsher methods, including radiotherapy and stem cell treatments, are now needed to rid Darren of the cancerous lump.

Darren is desperate to marry his 36-year-old partner Claire Larter who has been his rock throughout the past seven months.

Darren has set up a crowdfunding appeal in a bid to make their planned April 2020 wedding the "special day this amazing woman deserves".

He said: "I have an amazing girlfriend and family, she has coped so well and it's things like this that put your life into perspective.

"I couldn't imagine my life without her, so I'd like to aim and give her a very special wedding she deserves."

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The pair have been together for five years and between them have four children.

Before the diagnosis, Darren was active and worked as a full-time carer which he has had to give up due to him feeling drained with his rigorous cancer treatment.

Darren, who has had extended spells away from his family while being treated in hospital, described his family's year as "pretty bad" and hailed Claire's unwavering support during testing times.

He said: "The start of the year was great, Amelia was born on February 18, but six weeks later I was diagnosed with cancer.

"I had symptoms at that time, but I didn't know what it was. I was kept in hospital until they diagnosed me after I was sent for a scan.

"It has been pretty hard, especially my girlfriend having a house to run, kids to sort, newborn baby and visiting me. We have decided to try make something good out of this and get married."

He hopes the wedding will give the family something to look forward to and to focus on in the coming months.

Posting on their fundraising page, Darren said: "We are basically asking if any friends and family would like to help donate so I can try make this day the special day this amazing woman deserves."

To donate, visit their Go Fund Me page here.

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Bransholme dad diagnosed with cancer weeks after baby arrived desperate to marry 'amazing' girlfriend - Hull Daily Mail

Mum’s heartbreaking choice to not bond with newborn son after cancer diagnosis – Mirror Online

Just weeks after her baby son was born, Hannah Toohill made a heartbreaking decision.

The mum-of-two had been diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer after giving birth to little Fraser 11 weeks early.

Believing she only had months to live, the 29-year-old made the tough decision that it would be better if he never got to know her.

Convinced it was the best thing to do, Hannah kept her distance for the first few months of Fraser's life while she also went through gruelling treatment.

Desperate to spend more time with her son it was only when she realised it would prolong her life that she changed her mind, reports the Daily Record.

Amazingly, one year on, Hannah has marked Fraser's first birthday and the first anniversary of her multiple myeloma cancer diagnosis.

Now she wants her experience to inspire others with incurable cancer not to give up on living life.

Hannah, from Dingwall, Easter Ross, said: When I was first diagnosed, I couldnt get my head around the fact the type of cancer I had was incurable.

"I loved Fraser so much, I wanted to be with him. But I didnt want to bond with him because I thought that if I was going to die, then it would kinder on him if he hadnt got to know me.

I thought the right thing was to spend time with my daughter Catherine, who knew me already and would have memories with me. So while my husband spent time with Fraser every day, I hardly ever went to the hospital to visit him.

My mindset only started to change when I realised the treatment I was receiving was working and I was actually doing OK.

Now I cant get enough of Fraser we have such a wonderful relationship. Hes such a mummys boy.

Hannah was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last October, three weeks after giving birth prematurely to Fraser.

Hannah said: Myeloma was never something any of my pregnancy team would have looked for. I was told it was almost unheard of in someone my age, and that while the condition could be treated, there was no cure.

The consultant told me, Please dont Google . But I did and, from what I read, I was sure I had just months to live.

Hannah started four months of chemotherapy before being sent 170 miles from home to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for a stem cell transplant.

She said: Most people are kept in hospital for 14 days after a stem cell transplant but I was in for five weeks, as I didnt recover quickly enough probably because my body hadnt had time to recover from pregnancy before my cancer treatment began.

Catherine came down to visit a few times but I didnt see Fraser at all.

When Hannah was finally allowed home, her recovery came on in leaps and bounds.

As she grew mentally and physically stronger, she started to spend more time helping to care for both her children.

Twelve months on from her diagnosis, Hannahs cancer is in remission, and while she knows it will return one day, she doesnt dwell on her illness.

Hannah, who plans to return to work next year, said: The treatment Ive had has worked so well there is no sign of cancer in my blood.

My cancer is asleep and while I know it will wake up again one day, no one knows when that will be.

It could be in six months or in six years there is no way to predict. I just have to hope that, in the meantime, scientists will find a cure.

"I dont waste a lot of time thinking about my illness it doesnt often cross my mind that I have cancer.

Instead, Im enjoying living my life, doing as much with my children as I possibly can. I know how precious life is and I dont intend to waste a minute.

Hannah is grateful for all the support she has received including from her family, friends and medical staff who helped care for Fraser for the first 10 weeks of his life.

She has also received support from the charity Myeloma UK, which provides information and support to anyone affected by the disease and helps funds research towards finding new treatments and a possible cure.

Hannah added: Ive learned you can live life even when you are diagnosed with a cancer that currently has no cure. My advice to others is keep positive.

Originally posted here:
Mum's heartbreaking choice to not bond with newborn son after cancer diagnosis - Mirror Online

Platelet Rich Plasma & Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market That Witnessed The Share Worth US$ 450 Mn by 2026 – Health News Office

The CANCER THERAPEUTICS market research report added by Report Ocean, is an in-depth analysis of the latest trends, market size, status, upcoming technologies, industry drivers, challenges, regulatory policies, with key company profiles and strategies of players. The research study provides market introduction, CANCER THERAPEUTICS market definition, regional market scope, sales and revenue by region, manufacturing cost analysis, Industrial Chain, market effect factors analysis, CANCER THERAPEUTICS market size forecast, 100+ market data, Tables, Pie Chart, Graphs and Figures, and many more for business intelligence.

The global cancer therapeutics market was valued at $81,291 million in 2016 and is estimated to reach at $178,863 million by 2023, registering a CAGR of 11.9% from 2017 to 2023.

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CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market: Competitive Analysis by Key Players:

The Global CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market also explains the competitive landscape among the major key players of the market, based on various parameters, such as:

CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market Segments:

By Application (Blood Cancer, Lung Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, and Others) and Top Selling Drugs (Revlimid, Avastin, Herceptin, Rituxan, Opdivo, Gleevec, Velcade, Imbruvica, Ibrance, Zytiga, Alimta, Xtandi, Tarceva, Perjeta, and Others)

CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market: Insights

The use of targeted, biologic (immunotherapy) & other forms of therapies administered to treat cancer through oncology drugs is known as cancer therapeutics. The global cancer therapeutics market was valued at $81,291 million in 2016 and is estimated to reach at $178,863 million by 2023, registering a CAGR of 11.9% from 2017 to 2023.

Upsurge in collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, rise in cancer awareness & availability of oncology drugs, increase in cancer funding & research, and growth in geriatric population are the key factors that augment the growth of the cancer therapeutics market. Furthermore, rise in prevalence of cancer cases is expected to boost the market growth.

However, adverse effects associated with cancer therapeutics market and high costs associated with oncology drug development are some of the factors that impede the market growth. Conversely, the high potential of emerging economies and increase in demand for personalized medicine is expected to provide new opportunities for the market players in future.

The cancer therapeutics market is segmented based on application, top selling drugs, and region. Based on application, the market is divided into blood cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and others. By top selling drugs, it is categorized into Revlimid, Avastin, Herceptin, Rituxan, Opdivo, Gleevec, Velcade, Imbruvica, Ibrance, Zytiga, Alimta, Xtandi, Tarceva, Perjeta, and others. Region wise, it is analyzed across the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Get a Sample Report for more Expert and Official insights: @https://www.reportocean.com/industry-verticals/sample-request?report_id=27238

Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows:

Historical year 2013-2017

Base year 2018

Forecast period** 2019 to 2025 [** unless otherwise stated]

Regional Analysis:

The market research study offers in-depth regional analysis along with the current market scenarios. The major regions analyzed in the study are:

Key highlights and important features of the Report:

Overview and highlights of product and application segments of the global CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market are provided. Highlights of the segmentation study include price, revenue, sales, sales growth rate, and market share by product.

Explore about Sales data of key players of the global CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market as well as some useful information on their business. It talks about the gross margin, price, revenue, products, and their specifications, type, applications, competitors, manufacturing base, and the main business of key players operating in the CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market.

Explore about gross margin, sales, revenue, production, market share, CAGR, and market size by region.

Describe CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;

Research Methodology:

The market research was done by adopting various tools under the category of primary and secondary research. For primary research, experts and major sources of information have been interviewed from suppliers side and industries, to obtain and verify the data related to the study of the Global CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market. In secondary research methodology, various secondary sources were referred to collect and identify extensive piece of information, such as paid databases, directories and annual reports and databases for commercial study of the Global CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market. Moreover, other secondary sources include studying technical papers, news releases, government websites, product literatures, white papers, and other literatures to research the market in detail.

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There are 15 Chapters to display the Global CANCER THERAPEUTICS Market:

Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Global CANCER THERAPEUTICS, Applications of, Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, Export & Import, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia, Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to explore the Market Analysis by Application Major Manufacturers Analysis;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type, Market Trend by Application;Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global CANCER THERAPEUTICS by region, type and application;Chapter 12, to describe CANCER THERAPEUTICS Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe CANCER THERAPEUTICS sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.

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Platelet Rich Plasma & Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market That Witnessed The Share Worth US$ 450 Mn by 2026 - Health News Office

Lineage Cell Therapeutics Presents Encouraging Data on Vision Restoration Program at Society for Neuroscience’s 49th Annual Scientific Meeting -…

The preclinical data presented provided evidence that retinal tissue produced in Lineages laboratory from a human pluripotent stem cell line was able to engraft tumor-free in rat models used to study severe retinal degeneration, survived for six months or longer in the subretinal space, and importantly, showed evidence of functional improvement. Moreover, the implanted retinal tissue produced many photoreceptors carrying mature markers including rhodopsin, established close contact with the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer, and developed many synaptic boutons reaching the inner nuclear layers and ganglion cell layer. Rhodopsin is a biological pigment found in the rods of the retina and is extremely sensitive to light, thus enabling vision in low-light conditions. Synaptic boutons are typically the sites where synapses with other neurons are found, and neurotransmitters are stored here to communicate with other neurons. This work was done in collaboration with the University of California, Irvine (Magdalene J. Seiler, Ph.D., co-PI).

The Vision Restoration Program is a collaborative effort led by Lineages Principal Investigator Igor O. Nasonkin Ph.D., Director of Research & Development, with Simon Petersen-Jones, DVET MED, PHD, DECVO, Professor and Donald R. Meyers and William E. Dunlap Endowed Chair in Canine Health at Michigan State University, and Magdalene J. Seiler, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine. The Vision Restoration Program is distinct from OpRegen, the Companys clinical-stage cell therapy program which features the sub-retinal delivery of retinal pigment epithelium cells for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (dry-AMD).

Guided by its mission and its values, the vision of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is to advance breakthrough discoveries in neuroscience and promote innovative translation of scientific advances to improve the health of people everywhere. The SfNs 49th annual meeting is the premier venue for neuroscientists to present emerging science, learn from experts, forge collaborations with peers, explore new tools and technologies, and advance careers. For more information, please visit https://www.sfn.org/Meetings/Neuroscience-2019 or follow the SfN on Twitter @SfNtweets.

About Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

Lineage Cell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel cell therapies for unmet medical needs. Lineages programs are based on its proprietary cell-based therapy platform and associated development and manufacturing capabilities. With this platform Lineage develops and manufactures specialized, terminally-differentiated human cells from its pluripotent and progenitor cell starting materials. These differentiated cells are developed either to replace or support cells that are dysfunctional or absent due to degenerative disease or traumatic injury or administered as a means of helping the body mount an effective immune response to cancer. Lineages clinical assets include (i) OpRegen, a retinal pigment epithelium transplant therapy in Phase I/IIa development for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the developed world; (ii) OPC1, an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell therapy in Phase I/IIa development for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries; and (iii) VAC2, an allogeneic cancer immunotherapy of antigen-presenting dendritic cells currently in Phase I development for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Lineage is also evaluating potential partnership opportunities for Renevia, a facial aesthetics product that was recently granted a Conformit Europenne (CE) Mark. For more information, please visit http://www.lineagecell.com or follow the Company on Twitter @LineageCell.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191023005113/en/

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Lineage Cell Therapeutics Presents Encouraging Data on Vision Restoration Program at Society for Neuroscience's 49th Annual Scientific Meeting -...

Crispr’s next frontier is in-human treatment, says co-inventor – The Business Times

Mon, Oct 21, 2019 - 5:50 AM

New York

AS investors await results from the first US clinical trials of the gene-editing system known as Crispr, scientists are focused on finding ways to administer it directly into humans, according to the technology's co-inventor, Jennifer Doudna.

Right now, in studies using Crispr that have treated patients, researchers have had to extract their cells to be able to make edits to faulty DNA before infusing them back into the body for treatment.

Being able to do precise edits directly inside humans, animals or plants could open the door to new applications, Ms Doudna said.

"With advances and delivery techniques, it may be possible to do that kind of very highly efficient targeted genome editing in the patient, without having to remove cells, but actually to just do a treatment in the patient where the delivery vehicle takes the editing molecule to the right cells," she said in an interview before the Welch Foundation Conference on chemical research this week.

"Sounds fantastical today, but I think that's coming."

In essence, Crispr is a gene-editing system that can splice away parts of human DNA that make people susceptible to disease or defects. While it can be used in plants and animals, scientists are working on therapeutic applications that can offer a one-time cure for certain diseases.

Crispr Therapeutics AG was the first company to start a human trial back in February, and is due to report initial results by year-end.

Editas Medicine Inc is leading efforts in "in-vivo", or inside the body, testing and initiated a clinical study in July. Intellia Therapeutics Inc is expected to follow with its own study next year.

A safe delivery of Crispr directly into humans would shorten manufacturing times and offer new opportunities for the companies.

The biggest challenge is to find a way to deliver gene-editing molecules into specific cell types safely and efficiently, Ms Doudna said.

"That's kind of the next frontier," she added. "If we figure that out, it really does open the way to many, many more kinds of applications in genome editing than are possible today."

Crispr and Intellia Therapeutics have licensed their technology from the University of California at Berkeley, Ms Doudna's academic home, while Editas is using inventions from the Broad Institute in Massachusetts.

The two institutions are fighting over who was first to invent breakthrough gene-editing technology. Ms Doudna is a co-founder of Editas and other Crispr startups and is a scientific board member at Intellia.

The gene-editing field, which only recently entered human testing and has been plagued by research raising safety concerns, recently got some encouraging news.

Chinese researchers safely treated a man with leukemia and HIV using gene-edited stem cells, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine. While the attempt to cure his HIV failed, his cancer is in remission 19 months after the treatment, and the modified cells integrated into his body.

The case, which is the first detailed report in a major academic journal of how doctors are using Crispr in living patients, is an "important milestone" and suggests that gene editing will be "a safe technology and that the challenge now is to have it be really effective in different disease settings", Ms Doudna noted. BLOOMBERG

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Crispr's next frontier is in-human treatment, says co-inventor - The Business Times

Teen Cancer Survivor uses Haunted House to Help Others Fight – WFMYNews2.com

RALEIGH, N.C. WNCN - A 14-year-old cancer survivor is giving back to other children with cancer, and hes using a haunted house to do it.

According to WNCN CBS 17, a spooky scene on S. Mere Court in Raleigh has a haunted house filled with werewolves, spiderwebs, and just about everything else you find creepy, but the boy behind it is all smiles.

I always wanted to do a haunted house but mom and dad would always say no, Edward Thompson told WNCN. They hate me scaring them.

The Thompsons have been through something so much scarier than this, though. Hodgkins lymphoma. Edward was diagnosed with it, on the last day of 6th grade. He needed chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem cell transplant to fight cancer.

One day I was very depressed since I was going through all this. I think I had just relapsed, Edward told WNCN. Mom said, You know what. This year were going to do a haunted house.'

He got so excited and he would sit there during chemo and plan out the haunted house, added his mom.

Im reminded of what I went through and how I got through it, said Edward, who even included the mask he used for radiation treatment among the Halloween decorations.

The house will be open the nights of October 26, 27, 30, and 31st.

Its free to tour, but the family told WNCN they are accepting donations for Give Kids the World a resort for children who are part of the Make-A-Wish program. Edward went after finishing treatment.

We werent the oddballs anymore. We werent the outcasts; we werent the kids with cancer, he remembered. Im giving back to them because I know what theyve been through.

After dealing with very real fear for a very long time, Edward still loves to scare people. I love to scare. I love to get scared. Scaring is just a part of me, he said.

The haunted house is located at:9401 S. Mere Ct. Raleigh, NC 27615 It is open October 26, 27, 30, and 31st from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

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Teen Cancer Survivor uses Haunted House to Help Others Fight - WFMYNews2.com

Damien Cook confident that Sam Burgess will continue playing despite shoulder injury – Sporting News AU

South Sydney and Australian hooker Damien Cook is confident that club teammate Sam Burgess will continue playing on despite a lingering shoulder injury.

Rumours of Burgess retirement continue to swirl after it was revealed thathe wasconsidering his playing future due to arthritis in his shoulder.

It was reported last week that the English international was set to travel to the United States to undergo stem cell treatment in the hopes to treat the issue.

This ledThe Australian'sBrent Read to speculate about his future, tellingSporting News Australiathat he would lucky to see out his current contract.

"The shoulder is a massive issue," Read said.

"He's got three years left, I'd be stunned if he saw out the three years.

"He may play one more and then be gone,

"I think that's how bad it is."

However, teammate Damien Cook was not concerned about his potential retirement, revealing that he had no doubts about his playing future.

"Sam is someone who brought himself back early a few times because we needed him back on the field to help get us to the finals," Cook told the media.

"Now he just needs a good rest and to look after his shoulder.

"We want to make sure first and foremost his health is there.

"You don't want any permanent damage to any player after their career.

"Sam has given his whole body and everything to the game.

"I've got no doubts he will be playing with us next year."

Cook is currently in Kangaroos camp preparing for their clash against New Zealand on Friday in Wollongong, with the hooker eager to avenge the loss from 12 months ago.

"It was my first game in the jersey and first loss Australia had in a while," Cook said.

"It wasn't the best memory but getting that chance was special. We didn't play our best footy but still managed to score some points.

"This time we don't want to wait for the Tonga game to get it right."

Originally posted here:
Damien Cook confident that Sam Burgess will continue playing despite shoulder injury - Sporting News AU

Five ways fasting can help in the fight against cancer – The Standard

ALSO READ: What you need to know about prostate cancer

There have been many questions on the role fasting plays in the fight against cancer and during cancer treatment.

Different studies suggest that fasting can help fight cancer by lowering the resistance of insulin and also helps in fighting the side effects of chemotherapy.

Scientists also believe that fasting can make cancer cells more responsive to chemo and at the same time protect blood and other cells from the harsh side effects of chemotherapy treatment.

Below are some of the positive effects fasting has on cancer and chemotherapy treatment.

1. It improves insulin sensitivity

Insulin is a hormone that allows cells to extract glucose from the body and use it as energy.

When there is food available in the body, the cells become less sensitive to insulin and create insulin resistance, meaning the cells will no longer respond to insulin signals which will lead to high levels of glucose in the blood and higher storage of fat.

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The body tries to conserve as much energy as possible when it doesn't have enough food and this task is only accomplished by making the cell membranes more sensitive to insulin.

During fasting, cells metabolize insulin more effectively and remove glucose from the blood.

When there is better insulin sensitivity in the body, it makes the conditions harder for any cancer cells to grow and develop.

2. Reverses effects of chronic illnesses

Type 2 diabetes and obesity have been said to be some of the risk factors of cancer and they are both linked to people being at a higher risk of getting multiple types of cancers and having low survival rates.

A case study carried out in 2017 that looked at the effects of intermittent fasting on type 2 diabetes showed that after a period of four months, the patient who participated had a 17.8 percent in weight reduction and had reduced their waist sizes as well.

The study showed that after two months of constant short term fasting, the type 2 diabetes patients no longer needed insulin treatment after only two months.

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3. It promotes autophagy

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Autophagy is a cellular process where parts of cells break down for reuse later. This process is critical for maintaining the proper functioning of cells and it helps defend cells in the body. Autophagy also plays a major role in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Different studies and tests carried out in mice showed that the lack of autophagy leads to one having lower levels of important tumour suppressing genes.

Even though having low autophagy can enable a tumour formation, this is not exactly responsible for the growth and spreading of a malignant tumour.

4. Improves response to chemo during treatment

Scientists believe that fasting tends to improve one's response to chemotherapy because it promotes cellular regeneration, reduces the impact of chemo side effects and it protects the blood against harmful effects of chemo.

A study carried out in 2018 that used a 60 hour fasting period for testing, and started 36 hour before the start of chemo sessions discovered that fasting can help improve the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemo treatment for ovarian cancer and breast cancer.

The result of the research showed that the patients who were fasting during chemotherapy had reported a higher tolerance to chemo and had fewer side effects to the treatment and had high energy levels.

5. Boosts the immune system to help it fight cancer

A study conducted in 2014 that focused on whether fasting produces any cancer fighting effects in mice stem cells as stem cells are important because of their regenerative ability revealed that fasting for two to four days could protect stem cells against negative effect of chemotherapy on the immune system.

The study also revealed that fasting activated stem cells in the immune system in order to renew them and enable them to repair themselves.

According to the study, fasting does not only reduce the damage to the cells but it also replenishes white blood cells and replenishes the damaged ones.

When white blood cells levels drops due to chemotherapy, it affects the immune system since white blood cells are meant to fight infections and destroy any cells that cause diseases, which leaves one exposed to infections since the body has a harder time fighting any infection.

When fasting, the number of white blood cells tend to reduce but the number goes up once the fasting period is over and the body gets the right amount of food.

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Five ways fasting can help in the fight against cancer - The Standard