Source: The Ledger     

See Gryphon's blog to see how he is getting along with the treatment.

Even with the recent change in policy concerning stem cell therapy in the United States, two Californian families have their sights set on China as they seek treatment for their children’s cerebral palsy. Both Gryphon Klomp, who can not walk or hold a spoon, and Brooke Schmidt-Jordan’s parents are hoping that the experience of doctor’s abroad will help improve the quality of life for their two-year-olds.

“I’m very frustrated that it took Obama getting into office to even look at stem cell treatments,” Jennifer Schmidt said. “The United States is 20 years behind China.”

As stem cell treatments were put on ice by the Bush administration, doctors abroad, including those at the Beike Biotechnology partner hospital in Hangzhou, China, have pushed the science to new heights. The first use of Beike stem cells came in 2001. With clinical trials still needed in the United States the families are not willing to wait while their children suffer.

“Why would I wait five years to help him?” Michael Klomp said.

Currently there is a study underway at Duke University using umbilical cord stem cells to treat cerebral palsy in children but Gryphon was ineligible as his family did not, or was not instructed to, save his cord blood when he was born. The study has not been released but anecdotal reports have suggested that improvements were observed in some of the children.

“We’re very excited for them and we’d be excited to see what the outcomes were,” Jamie Marrish, executive director of Cerebral Palsy of Central California, said.

Marrish added that she supports families seeking alternate treatments.

In terms of Gryphon Klomp’s treatment, he traveled to Hongzhou in early May to start six weeks of stem cell therapy. Jennifer Schmidt would like her daughter to start treatments in July.
 
Despite the lack of experience within the United States there are some in the medical community who are cautiously optimistic about the procedures the Klomp and Schmidt families are pursuing especially in consideration of the fact that the Beike stem cells are cord stem cells and not the more controversial embryonic variety.
 
"The use of [cord]stem cells is probably not as risky as embryonic stem cells would be," Dr. David Pleasure, director of the Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine in Sacramento, said adding that he felt that the treatments could prove therapeutic.
 
"[The effect] depends on what is causing the cerebral palsy." Pleasure said.
 
On their road to China both families have encountered doubters and out and out cynics but the hope of a brighter future for their children pushes them on.
 
 "It's a chance I am willing to take," Schmidt said.