[BobbyB]

CHRISTMAS GIFT OF LIFE
Dec 6 2007 by Dominic Jones, Gwent Gazette

BRITAIN’S youngest Motor Neurone Disease sufferer has travelled to China for radical, potentially life saving stem cell treatment thanks to £40,000 raised by the people of Blaenau Gwent.

Twenty-year-old Michael Emms, from Ebbw Vale, who was diagnosed with the degenerative illness last December at almost half the age of the previous youngest sufferer, will be undergoing the controversial treatment in Shenyang Hospital, near Beijing in China, as it is illegal in Britain.

Following a desperate appeal for help in the Gazette by Michael’s father and step-mother, Julian Emms and Joanna Stanley, the money has now been raised to get him the treatment he badly needs.

Motor Neurone Disease affects the nerve cells in the brain and spine which control the ability to walk and talk. It causes weakness and degeneration of muscles, usually in the legs and arms.

The nerves in the face and throat can also be affected causing problems with swallowing, chewing and breathing.

Michael’s condition has deteriorated rapidly over the past few months, and the whole family are now pinning their hopes on the stem cell treatment in China.

Doctors there will inject cells taken from Michael’s half-brother, ten-week-old Rhys, into his system through the spinal canal, hoping they will then morph into new tissue to replace degenerated nerve cells.

Michael, of Southbank, Beaufort, will also be undergoing bone marrow filtration treatment, which involves his bone marrow being removed and cleaned.

Stem cell treatment is currently illegal in the UK, because the creation of a stem cell involves destroying a human embryo, which pro-life groups argue is an unethical practice.

Dad Julian says the news that the treatment is going ahead has given Michael a vital glimmer of hope.

He said: “We’re all just obviously hoping that everything goes well.

“We hope it can do something for Michael.

“Without giving him this chance his outlook was very bleak.

“All the community are rooting for Michael and hoping something good comes of it.”

Mr Emms said he couldn’t thank everyone who has donated to and supported Michael’s cause enough.

He said the way shops, businesses and individuals rallied around to raise the money for the treatment was extraordinary.

He said: “The support from people in Blaenau Gwent has been absolutely fantastic.

“Without their support this couldn’t have happened.”

Mr Emms, Michael and Michael’s mother Theresa flew out to China on Saturday (December 1) and will return on January 5.

Mr Emms said they should be able to tell whether the treatment has been successful within a week or so.

Mr Emms, aged 41, said: “We won’t be celebrating Christmas out there.

“Christmas is nothing compared to the life of my son.”

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/...1466-20197929/