• Hope is like a road in the country

Posted: April 30, 2010

“Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.” ~Lin Yutang

Many of you have written to me about the piece that CNN did last night on our ALS trial at Emory (click to see the piece on ALS Stem Cell trial). And indeed it was inspiring to see a patient looking so well so soon after his surgery. It was particularly touching to watch our surgeon explain to the patient that this is designed primarily as a safety trial, and that he couldn’t tell him that he thought this trial would help his condition. It was a glimpse into the cold hard world of experimental science, and the harsh realities of doctors who treat patients with fatal diseases. We should all be grateful that there are doctors who are willing to dedicate their careers to treating such terrible diseases. Both our surgeon (Nick Boulis) and our site principal investigator (John Glass) are such doctors.

It was also heartening to see Dr. Feldman (our principal investigator) explain how she thought the cells could help patients with ALS; articulating the complex science of neuroprotection and neuroregeneration in a clear and understandable manner as only Eva can. We at Neuralstem are particularly grateful that she chose to direct our efforts to develop a treatment for ALS. Without her help it is doubtful that we would be in the midst of executing this trial.

And of course the patient, and his family are deserving of all of our thanks. First for the selflessness and sacrifice of participating in the trial, and for sharing their story. For a late stage ALS patient, every month, every week, every day is precious. And to submit oneself to the risks of surgery (a new and untried surgery at that) is an enormous investment and risk of their most precious commodity, time. I have myself sat through (too many) neurosurgery waiting rooms and post surgical recovery areas recently, and can tell you that there is no such thing as “routine” neurosurgery. Even when we see the patients so soon afterwards, home, and feeling as “normal” as they can, we need to remember that they have literally risked everything to help move this trial forward.

Historically, there has been really no hope for treating ALS. And when one meets with the patients and their amazing caregivers and support groups, the yearning for real hope is almost palpable. As Lin Yutang wrote, even where no road exists, when enough people walk a path, a road is made. As I watched the video segment, that is what I saw. These doctors, these scientists, these patients, all walking the same untrodden path, all creating a road, creating hope.