Operation John News Today

And allow the nerve cells to actually become less diseased and the nerve cells begin to look healthy. >> its worth pointing out is that john is going into the operating room. the question theyre really trying to answer, the most important question hat this point, is are these cells safe? is anything bad going to happen as a result of this operation? getting stem cells into johns spinal cord is not easy. it took this surgeon, dr. nick boulis years to design this platform to stabilize the needle t...

At the university where the trial was conducted. im on the faculty at emery as well. if johns progress is as promising as previous two participants have been, more patients are going to have this particular procedure. interestingly, johns wife gina found out about the trial by going to the internet. if you want to learn more, go to www.alsa.org. als association. a massive headwake. what causes the pain? i have an answer on "ask the doctor." she can teach us all about determination and overcomi...

Of my admiration and respect for being able to do this for the greater good. >> reporter: john has volunteered to be one of the first people in the united states to participate in an operation to inject stem cells directly into his spine. its called a phase one clinical trial. this is the first step. no one knows what will happen. heres how john got to this place. >> two years ago i was running. playing golf. >> reporter: then gradually, literally, he began to lose it. >> started tripping and li...

Better known as lou gehrigs disease. the nerve cells in the spine and brain which control muscle movement destroyed. and when the brain can no longer tell muscles to move, the muscles wither wear. eventually the diaphragm as well, which pulls and pushes air into the lungs. think about that. the brain is fine, but you simply cannot breathe. john knows theres no cure for als. so does his wife and two daughters. >> my first thoughts were i hated for my girls to see me go through this. so today is a...

Could it impact your health? ill tell you. lets get started. for more than a decade weve been hearing about the incredible promise stem cells may or may not hold. but they havent produced a single proven cure backed by solid science, so far. now the first fda approved clinical trial using fetal stel cells in adults with als is under way. i was able to follow a patient on his incredible journey. john has a terrible illness for which theres no cure. can you imagine hearing this from your surgeon...