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Organ transplantation has come a long way in recent years. For example, kidney transplants are very successful operations. But unless a patient gets an organ from an identical twin, he's stuck taking medication to suppress his immune system so the body doesn't reject it. Doctors at Mayo Clinic want to change that. They're researching ways to grow organs from a patient's own stem cells. It's called regenerative medicine, and it offers hope for a solution to organ rejection.
Resource: Kidney Transplant
Imagine what it would be like to give birth to healthy twin baby girls, only to find out that both of them were born with a potentially fatal disease. That happened to the family you're about to meet. Both girls needed a bone marrow transplant to hopefully cure a serious blood disorder. Vivien Williams has their story of survival.
Resource: Bone Marrow Transplant
For his entire life, radio host James Rabe has known that one day he'd need a new kidney. A disease called Alport Syndrome slowly caused his kidneys to fail. As his condition advanced, the search for a new organ began. His big sister stepped up and gave part of herself so her little brother could live.
Resource: Transplant Center
Stem cells and their use in regenerative medicine have been in the media a lot lately. But, what exactly does it mean? Physicians and researchers in the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Mayo Clinic say it has to do with developing completely new ways to treat and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart failure or even degenerative nerve, bone and joint conditions. Experts worldwide will meet this December for the World Stem Cell Summit, where they'll explore and share ideas about regenerative medicine. Here are the basics of how this research benefits patients.
Resource: General Internal Medicine in Minnesota
Stem Cells are the starting point for all the tissues in your body. Your body grows them all the time. So, Mayo researchers thought why not put them work healing damaged tissues like heart muscle or bone. Here's an example that's really hip from Dennis Douda for the Mayo Clinic news Network.
Resource: Orthopedic Surgery in Minnesota
This is a story about life, love and selfless giving. It's a story about two women who share more than just friendship. They share the gift of life.
Resource: Kidney Transplant
This is a story of the power of perseverance and love. A man named Kevin Lue was a triathlete who developed a rare disease that caused his heart to fail. In a matter of months, he went from intense competition to barely being able to walk. He needed a heart transplant. In addition to his new heart, he got a whole lot more.
Resource: Transplant Programs at Mayo Clinic
Seventeen people a day. That's approximately how many people in North America die waiting for an organ transplant. There simply aren't enough donor organs to meet demand. And if you are waiting for say, a liver, and one becomes available, there's no guarantee it will be a match. Here's the story of a woman who almost lost hope after having to turn down three different donor organs.
Resource: Liver Transplant
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