Dear All,
I think I mentioned last week that I am speaking at a press conference this week (10/31) on behalf of my best friend Laura's husband Mike Frerichs. I believe his site is mikefrerichs.com He is running for State Senate in Illinois, and I will be discussing the importance of stem cell research. Also, please help me pray for Laura's Mom Chris who is having some heart problems right now. Here is a copy of my speech for Tuesday.
Have a good week!
Good Morning. Thank you all for joining us at this press conference supporting the Illinois Senatorial candidate, Michael Frerichs. My name is Sherrie Teuber, and I am going to tell you why it is imperative that you allow Mike to lead your community into the Illinois State Senate.
One of the most controversial debates known in the political arena today, are that of stem cell research. This is extremely problematic, as most people are misinformed about what stem cell research really is, and whom it affects. If Mike Frerichs is elected into office, he will see to it that this type of research is conducted, and scientists will be able to discover an abundance of cures for many dreadful diseases such as coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and various types of leukemia’s, lymphomas and multiple myelomas. Moreover, stem cell research will further enable the cures for autoimmune disorders, such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Parkinson’s disease, scleroderma, and even complicated spinal cord injuries.
The most important thing to understand is what stem cells really are. According to a recent TIME magazine article, written by Nancy Gibbs, “Stem cells are nature’s master cells, which are capable of generating every one of the many different cells that make up the body. They have the ability to self-renew, which means that they are theoretically immortal, and can continue to divide forever if provided with enough nutrients. Because they are so plastic, they hold enormous promise as the basis for new treatments and cures.”
Where do these miracle stem cells come from, and why do their origins spark such a controversial debate in the political, moral and religious arena?
The first place where stem cells come from, are from embryonic stem cells. These cells are derived from a fertilized embryo, and have the magnificent power to replicate more than 200 various body tissues or cell types. These embryonic stem cells are THE MOST useful in replicating cells. The drawback is that there are not enough federally approved embryos to conduct research and cure diseases. Also, opposition cites that there is a life vs. death debate.
The penultimate place to find stem cells are from umbilical cord blood. Umbilical cord stem cells are useful, and can turn into bone, cartilage, or heart muscle. The negative aspect with these types of stem cells, is that an umbilical cord is only a certain length, and doesn’t contain enough stem cells to treat an adult illness.
The last place where stem cells can come from, are from adult stem cells. These adult stem cells are generally the most plentiful, and when harvested peripherally from an adult’s blood stream, or bone marrow, they can cure disease, but unfortunately don’t have the capabilities to replicate as many cell types.
I am sure you are asking yourself why this issue is so important to me, as well as Mike Frerichs? Also, you are probably thinking that this issue will never affect you, or any of your family members. I am here to tell you, you are WRONG.
In June of 2005, I was a happy, healthy, social and Christian 27-year-old female. I inhabited, and worked in Chicago, and prided myself on living life to the fullest. After many obtuse medical issues such as an inability to walk, horrendous back pain, puritis, breathing troubles, and over 70 swollen lymphnodes in my neck, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Disease, which is a form of Lymphoma. I wasn’t afraid of the disease, but I was afraid of what the treatment would do to my fertility.
I went through in-vitro fertilization before I started chemotherapy, and was able to save 13 embryos. Those embryos will most likely be used, so someday, I can have children of my own. If I choose not to have all 13, I have mandated that they will be donated to stem cell research. My story doesn’t stop here.
After 12 weeks of chemotherapy and 10 radiation treatments, my womb was barren, and another biopsy was done in my cancerous areas. It determined that while the 10cm. tumor shrank in my chest, and the 70 cancerous lymph nodes in my neck had shrunk, I still had multiple sites of cancer riddled all over my bones: such as my spine, my skull, my ribs, my shoulders and my pelvis and hips. This happened just under a year ago. My doctors concluded that the only way to cure a disease as extensive and unique as mine was to proceed with a stem cell transplant.
I went on to have 2 cycles of chemotherapy, which didn’t work, and my disease became more extensive. Then, I had 3 cycles of another type of chemotherapy. On Good Friday of 2006, I received wonderful news! I still wasn’t in remission yet, but my disease was controlled, and I was due to have my autologous stem cell transplant on May 1, 2006.
I entered my hospital facility on April 25. The point of my transplant was to kill all cancer cells with extensive chemotherapy. This chemotherapy would not only kill cancer cells, but all of my bone marrow as well. I couldn’t survive without my both marrow, so after 6 long 6 hour a day chemotherapy sessions, stem cells that were collected from my bloodstream in January 2006, were installed back in my body as a rescue to bring my bone marrow and my immune system back to life.
Without my stem cell transplant, I would have not survived my disease. I would have died, but with the advancements in stem cell research, I am standing before you, cancer free, and full of health, energy, and a zest for living.
If it weren’t for candidates like Mike Frerichs, and his commitment to stem cell research, many terminal diseases could not be cured, and many would die. Think about what the positive repercussions of stem cell research would mean for you and your family.
I thank Mike and Laura Frerichs for allowing me this time to talk with you, and hope that on November 7, you make the best choice for Champaign county, and that is Mike Frerichs. Have a wonderful day.
