Canada East - Canada
"Stem cells can be used for people with multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and strokes," Cherie Haas said. Julie Allen, Cherie Haas's sister, said she gets ...
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'Through the kindness of strangers, my kids got their father back'
By JENNIFER DUNVILLE
dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com
Published Wednesday August 8th, 2007
Appeared on page A1
It has been a triumphant summer for J.C. Haas.
The Geary resident has been swimming, camping and tubing down the Nashwaak River with his family, despite having a rare hereditary illness that deteriorates brain cells responsible for his movement and muscles.
Haas had trouble functioning because of Machado Joseph disease, but an experimental stem-cell treatment he received in China in the spring has changed all that.
Now he and his wife Cherie have opened their private lives to the public to share his success with the treatment, which has improved his quality of life and given him the ability to play with his three children again.
"It cost more than $30,000 for the treatments and time in China. It was the community and many strangers who helped us afford that," Cherie Haas said. "Now we want to return the favour."
The Haas family has made it a priority to talk publicly about stem-cell treatment.
The family has an online blog and encourages e-mails and phone calls from people interested in the procedure.
Visitors from across Canada have travelled to New Brunswick to see the improvements in Haas since he received injections of stem cells from donated umbilical cords.
"Stem cells can be used for people with multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and strokes," Cherie Haas said.
"That's why we welcome inquiries by phone and questions from visitors because we see the value of this treatment, even though we know it won't necessarily work for everyone the way it has for J.C."
Julie Allen, Cherie Haas's sister, said she gets teary when she thinks about the changes in her brother-in-law.
"It's amazing," she said, pausing to control her emotions.
"It's a dream come true. To see him outside playing with the kids and know they aren't worried about him falling or getting too tired is just so great.''
Haas was diagnosed with the disease in 1997. His mobility has decreased over the years to the point where he wasn't far from being in a wheelchair.
The illness, which can be life-threatening, has no known cure.
But stem-cell injections, which replace and repair dead cells, can temporarily restore some mobility for people with the disease.
"J.C. couldn't walk without a cane, manoeuvre in the dark, bend over without falling or even keep his balance to go downstairs," Cherie Haas said. "Now he's doing all those things and more. It's wonderful for him and for our children who have their papa back."
Cherie Haas said she's hoping to convince doctors to offer the treatment in Canada, so it's accessible to more people.
"Right now it's only available in China, but there are so many people wondering if they could benefit from stem cells," she said.
"Through the kindness of strangers, my kids got their father back.''
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