SMA Stories: Reagan’s Stem Cell Treatment

In this video from Beike Biotech, we meet five-year-old Reagan and her nurse, Tonya. Tonya explains that Reagan was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at eight months old and doctors believed she would die before her second birthday. The family was told that there was nothing they could do for Reagan and they should take her home, care for her as best they could and enjoy her short life.

Ron and Debbie talk about their children’s understanding of spinal muscular atrophy.

Following the death of her younger brother due to SMA, the family decided to have Reagan undergo a pioneering treatment in the hopes that the progression of SMA could be slowed down. Following two years of stem cell treatment, the family has been amazed by Reagan’s development. She is now able to use a specially designed toilet, feed herself, sit in a chair with the aid of a back brace and her oral skills continue to improve.

New knowledge in stem cell research may help scientists advance cell therapies for motor neuron diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy.

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