Nov 9, 2007 6:00 pm US/Eastern
Health: Multiple Sclerosis
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Finding the cause and perhaps a cure for Multiple Sclerosis is the idea behind a new research project that could also help with other similar diseases.
Art Mellor was 37 when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis seven years ago. Treatment has slowed down the disease but eventually he could lose control of his muscles and coordination. Art said, "Being an engineer by training, my reaction was, what causes this? And how can I work on solving that problem?"
So Art decided to start the Accelerated Cure Project, which raises money for MS research and is collecting blood and tissue samples from patients all over the country. By analyzing all those samples it's hoped a common link can be found between MS patients and patients with similar diseases.
"The idea by all these different approaches, we're going to get creative and new ideas that hopefully lead to a cure, " said Dr. Peter Riskind, an MS researcher.
That's what Gena White is hoping for. She's having doctors take samples from her son Will. The two year old was paralyzed by Transverse Myelitis, a condition that shares similarities to MS.
"Maybe he's got something in the blood that we give that maybe shows why he got it.
Finding the cause of a disease could be the first step to finding a cure.
The closest project sites are in New York City and Baltimore.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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