OUR STORIES
Too frequently people dismiss stem cell research as something obscure and complicated that doesn’t affect them.
Be it a grandmother with Alzheimer’s, a brother with diabetes, or a dear friend with cancer, we all know someone. We’re all “interested.”
These are our stories. What is yours?
Share your story with us (pictures appreciated) by clicking on the tab to the left!
Laura Merritt
Laura was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 15, and is the founder of the ‘I Am’ organization.
When she was diagnosed with the disease, Laura’s doctor said, “The bad news is that you have Rheumatoid Arthritis. The good news is that you couldn’t have picked a better time to get it,” due to all of the medical advances that are being made. Laura has taken this message of hope and carries it with her daily. Thanks to a strict regimen of exercise, diet, and new medicines, Laura manages her condition very well. However, she still holds hope for a cure.
Laura’s goal is to unite everyone who has a personal stake in medical research and holds hope for progress and cures with an educated and vocal answer to the question “Interested in stem cell research?
Jeff McCaffrey
Jeff McCaffrey is a high achiever and athlete. He was offered a very prestigious full-ride scholarship to play college football at the Air Force Academy. During Jeff's freshman year, while returning from a weekend ski trip, he was in a car accident and was paralyzed.
According to Jeff's good friend Stephen Eikermann, "Jeff is the strongest, most resilient person I know." Jeff demonstrates this strength and resiliency by spending his days rehabbing, and working on legal issues related to stem cell research. Jeff worked with the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures to promote and pass the stem cell initiative in the fall of 2006. He is also a full time college student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Jeff spent last summer in Washington, D.C. working for the U.S. Senate HELP Committee on the Health Policy Team.
According to Jeff, "There is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind that I will walk again. Stem cell research is the reason why."
Tonya Winchester
In 2005, Tonya Winchester’s life was changed forever when she became paralyzed from the chest down after a car accident. She has since held several fundraisers to raise money to go overseas for stem cell treatment.
Winchester’s stem cell injections took place in Moscow, Russia. While the doctors told Winchester not to expect a lot with her first injection, she said she is already starting to get some sensations in her hands and feet.
“My hands tingle now,” Winchester said. “My feet tingle more.”
Winchester said the more injections she receives, combined with therapy, the more the doctors said she would improve.
“You gain the most after the fourth injection,” Winchester said. “I met some people there that gained after the first injection and I also met people who were there for their sixth or seventh time.”
With each injection, which contains 10,000 stem cells, Winchester said she hopes to make progress.
“I have hopes, not expectations,” Winchester said.
Since returning from Russia and feeling tingling in her fingers and feet, she is happy to have those new feelings.
“It's exciting,” she said.
Lucas Richardson
Lucas was 20 years and going to K-state when he was paralyzed over his summer vacation between his Freshman and Sophomore year of college.
When Lucas was first injured, he said he was going to "kick ass and take names later." He was feeling very strong and sure. After all, he was an athlete. He played soccer, baseball, swam, lifted weights and tried about every sport suited his fancy.
After the accident, Luke was ready to put up the fight of his life. But the days and months are difficult. Lucas’ mom Jennifer talks about the emotional roller coaster that their family has been on since Luke’s accident. “There have been times of such elation that the peak of the roller coaster wasn't high enough to hold us up, like the day Lucas moved his toes. When he stands in his parallel bars, I pray for one step -- just one step.”
As each day passes, Lucas’ hope lies more and more with a cure or at least something to make his fight easier. Jennifer adds, “I've tried to be as informed as possible (as a non-scientist) about stem cells and their benefits to diseases, malfunctioning systems, damaged tissue, etc. Stem cell injections just may be the seed that grows into that one step for my son.”
George Birsinger
George Birsinger is 90 years old. He has always been a strong person both physically and emotionally. He was talkative, a great storyteller and someone who could be counted on to offer worthwhile advice, especially to his 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Six years ago, George was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer’s has taken away his conversation, stories and advice. According to his granddaughter Julie, “We will be at a family dinner and Grandpa will not say even a word. Not because he doesn't want to, but because he doesn’t have the brainpower, due to Alzheimer's. This is not the Grandpa I knew 10 years ago. Alzheimer's just took over him, for the worse.”
Julie adds, "This is an extremely hard disease to watch someone have to go through and my only hope is that stem cell research will help us find a cure. My hope is that less people will have to go through what my family is experiencing right now, with their grandma, grandpa, father, or other loved ones."
The Noe Family
As participants in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, the Noe Family learned priceless lessons of perseverance and faith. They lost a very close relative to breast cancer last year and in her memory the Noe family raised over $5500 towards the fight against the disease that took her. Beyond the obstacles associated with fundraising, the Noes walked 39 miles alongside other survivors and family members of others affected.
At the opening ceremony, they were overwhelmed by sadness after being reminded of the very painful loss their family had endured a few months earlier. However, when they looked around and realized they were surrounded by thousands of others who had experienced similar pain, they were instantly made aware of the value of all their hard work. Here, along with the Noe family, were other people committed to the eradication of pain and suffering, not only for those afflicted with the illness, but their loved ones as well. Fighting for a cure for cancer is a cause very near and dear to their hearts, which is why the Noe family has also joined in the fight for stem cell research.
The Noe Family is aware of the benefits that stem cell research could have had on one of their loved ones, as well as many other families who have faced an illness alongside a loved one, which is why they are proud to be a part of 'I Am.'
