abc-cde

Association for Better Child Care, Development & Education

'Dwight's Computers for kids'

Diabetes #1

Prime Minister Jean Chretien, congratulating the medical researchers for their outstanding accomplishments at the U of A on October 6th, 2000.

January 16, 2001 Edmonton, Alberta

What’s New With The Islet Transplantation Group? The Islet Transplantation Group in Edmonton has certainly garnered its fair share of publicity recently: from words of encouragement from Prime Minister Jean Chretien to winning an ASTech Award. In addition, they have been preparing for the upcoming Immune Tolerance Network (ITN) trials and hosting visitors from around the world. But foremost, the group has been performing islet isolations and transplants. Members of the Islet Transplantation Group were visited by the Prime Minister of Canada, the Honorable Jean Chretien, who congratulated the researchers in person for their outstanding accomplishments. During his public address he thanked the University of Alberta for recognizing the government’s on going support. He stated the importance of continued government supported research and he hoped that we (U of A) would “keep the pressure on us (government) to invest.” Mr. Bob Teskey, one of the islet recipients participating in the Edmonton trials, was given an opportunity to address the Prime Minister and described how his transplant changed his life. He explained that he had probably taken “40,000 insulin injections since the age of 14” and since his transplant was now free of insulin injections and living the life of a “normal person.” The Islet Transplantation Group was recently recognized for their dedication in the ongoing research for diabetes. The ASTech Award for Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science Award was presented to them on October 20th at the Shaw Conference Center. A standing ovation during the presentation conveyed the audience’s strong emotional support and connection to the important research being done by this group of dedicated researchers. Work with visiting centers participating in the ITN trials is ongoing. The Edmonton Protocol has been sent to the participating centers and the final steps are underway to get the ITN trials started. Visitors, visitors, and more visitors! The renowned success of the Islet Transplantation Group has brought visitors from all over the world to see first hand what the Edmonton group is doing to achieve such remarkable results in achieving insulin independence in type 1 diabetic patients. Doctors from Spain, Korea, Italy, Brazil, Germany, and various centers in the United States have visited in the hopes of seeing an actual islet isolation and transplant. All have been able to tour and visit with members of the Islet Transplantation Group and some have been fortunate to actually see an islet isolation and transplant occur. The Islet Transplantation Group recently transplanted its 15th patient. This last patient is doing well with his insulin requirement substantially reduced while waiting for a second transplant. It should be noted that our very first islet transplant recipient will soon be at his two-year anniversary of being completely free of insulin injections. He is doing well and leading a normal, active lifestyle. With the 15th patient soon to experience the same freedom from insulin injections and severe lifestyle restrictions imposed from diabetes and its complications, the Islet Transplantation Group will continue to advance and improve on its islet isolations and transplant techniques.

(SiTE UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Click 'HERE' to meet Dwights Kids