Disclaimer: The linked items below or the websites at which they are located do not necessarily represent the views of The Illinois Federation for Right to Life. They are presented only for your information.
A Stroke of Successful Therapy with Adult Stem Cells
The good news continues to flow about the first stroke patient successfully treated in Houston using the patient's own adult stem cells. The patient, Roland Henrich, was originally admitted to the emergency room at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center on March 25, 2009 with signs of stroke--he could not speak and had significant weakness on his right side. Because it was beyond the few hours window for use of the clot-dissolving drug TPA, the adult stem cell trial was his only option. The next day some of his bone marrow was removed, the adult stem cells separated, and returned intravenously to the patient. In less than a week doctors noted that he was recovering remarkably well and had not shown any signs of paralysis. Within 11 days of the treatment Mr. Henrich was walking, climbing stairs unassisted, and said his first word after the stroke, captured on a local news video and surprising his own doctor and leader of the clinical trial, Dr. Sean Savitz. His wife says now he has spoken several single words and phrases and has fed the cows by himself.
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War Against Elderly Patients in the UK--Nurse Struck From Rolls for Exposing Abuse
A nurse in the UK reveals terrible abuse and neglect of elderly patients at a hospital in the UK. You'd think the powers that be would give her a medal. Nope. As I reported here yesterday, Margaret Haywood secretly filmed and proved how badly patients were being treated. Her reward? She's lost the right to be a nurse. From the story:
Nurse Margaret Haywood has been struck off the register with immediate effect after secretly filming for a BBC Panorama programme exposing neglect of elderly patients in a hospital.
Nurse Margaret Haywood secretly filmed the neglect of elderly patients Photo: PA Miss Haywood, 58, recorded appalling conditions at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton for a BBC documentary screened in July 2005. She said: "I was convinced that it was the right thing to do at the time as, in fact, I had reported the issues and nothing had been done.
Yes, well the-powers-that-be don't like to be made to look bad--and so Nurse Haywood, you are a nurse no more! And with that, a very dangerous and insidious message has been sent to all medical personnel: You witness abuse and we decide to do nothing about it, you keep their mouths shut--or else!
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Abortion Pills' Dispersal Under Investigation
Four Planned Parenthood Clinics in San Antonio are accused of prescribing abortion pills without a license. Now some Texas lawmakers are outraged and want to cut state funding for Planned Parenthood. Some of the members of the Texas House met on Tuesday in Austin and are demanding an investigation into Planned Parenthood. Jeffrey Hons is the president of the organization and he says four other clinics in San Antonio were legally prescribing the abortion pill. The pill can be used to end a pregnancy that’s up to eight weeks along.
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City Council Members: Abortion Clinic Access Bill Stifles Free Speech
Several members of the Queens City Council delegation said they opposed a new city measure that would allow police to arrest protesters outside abortion clinics because the officials believe the legislation violates the First Amendment rights of city residents. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was expected to sign the bill into law this week. It will take effect 90 days later.
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Flashback - April 03, 2009
NY City Council OK's Bill to Arrest Any Protesters at Abortion Clinics
In an attempt to clear a path for patients at reproductive clinics, the City Council approved legislation strengthening the city's clinic access law, allowing police to arrest protesters who harass people seeking medical care. The bill will ensure patients are not threatened, followed or harassed when attempting to enter a clinic, supporters said.
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Parents of Disabled Girl File Human Rights Complaint against Children's Hospital over Tragic Death
The parents of a disabled baby girl, who died in 2005, have launched a human rights complaint against Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. The parents allege that the hospital placed a "do not resuscitate" order on the child without their consent and otherwise refused to provide normal care that could have saved her life.
Timothy and Barbara Farlow say that the hospital failed to give their daughter Annie proper medical care because she was disabled. Annie suffered from the non-fatal genetic disorder Trisomy 13 and died 80 days after her birth.
Lawyers for the hospital say that the parents' claim, filed with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, is not valid because it was not filed within six months of the child's death. A preliminary hearing on the complaint was held in Toronto on April 14 and the Commission is expected to make a decision within a month.
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Georgia Governor Declares April 18th as Hope for Life Day
Groups to March to Atlanta Federal Courthouse to Recognize Abortion Hurts Women
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has proclaimed April 18th as Hope for Life Day stating:
"THEREFORE, I, SONNY PERDUE, Governor of the state of Georgia, do hereby proclaim April 18, 2009, as HOPE FOR LIFE DAY in Georgia. I call upon all Georgians to recognize this day, to rededicate ourselves to compassionate service on behalf of the weak and defenseless, and reaffirm our commitment to respect the life and dignity of every human being."
"Finally we are celebrating the gift of life and I applaud Governor Perdue for proclaiming April 18th as Hope for Life Day", said Julie Thomas, Georgia State Leader for Operation Outcry an organization of women and men hurt by abortion.
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