To the editor:
I hate the idea of senior citizens paying for a hopeful cure for their health problems only to be taken advantage of by someone that is only out for their own financial gain. I want to get the word out there for people to do their homework before jumping into stem cell therapy.
Recently a doctor from Washington took out several full-page newspaper ads throughout the Okanagan. He sent his marketing people up here to do about 20, ninety-minute seminars about stem cell therapy. This felt like big business to me so after some more research I found out that this doctor does not do the best procedure.
One of the most successful procedures is where live blood, fat and bone marrow is taken right from the patient. Each one is then put into a machine where the living growth cells are separated from the cells that are not as useful. Once this is done they are injected back into the patient. Ultrasound is used to find just the right spot where the cells will be most beneficial for healing.
In conducting my research, I found out that there is a doctor right here in the Okanagan area of Kelowna that does stem cell therapy. When I researched Dr. Pagdin, I found out that he took his training at North America’s top stem cell centre in Florida. I also found out that he does the live stem cell procedure as stated above. Some doctors do not end up injecting live cells back into the patient, so the procedure will most likely not work. I also found out that the success rate is very high.
I am now in the middle of my therapy through Dr. Pagdin. He is able to do my two knees and left hip all at the same time in one three-hour appointment with two shorter follow up appointments. The procedure is not guaranteed but if I am able to avoid even one of the three surgeries I need it will be worth it.
Gail Walsh, Peachland