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How can we confront the faith-health care gap?

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There are many instances of successful merges between faith-based care and health care which reveal a substantial pool of best practices for confronting the challenging work of bridging the gap. The following are some of the challenges in creating faith-health collaborations, and how best to address those challenges.

Definitions and Terminology

One of the major challenges in creating faith-health collaborations involves definitions and terminology. The concepts of communities of spirit and faith-based, as well as whole person and integrative health, are attractivebut these terms need clear definitions. What are the core components of a whole person that need to be addressed if humans are toflourish? Could faith and health care communities establish a simple set of dimensions for what we consider a whole human being? Perhaps clearly agreeing that humans consist of at least mind, body, spirit, and social dimensions is a start. Then we can agree that providing whole-person integrative health care means taking all these dimensions into consideration, regardless of ones professional lens.

Creating a Common Language

Having common language for communication between faith and health communities is also key. Do love and social support intersect and have similar goals? How about convening and community? At a recent workshop that focused on faith-health care, an attendee spoke of the continuous challenge of attending to the intangible (e.g., prayer, belonging, compassion) and of needing to highlight the negative health aspects of activities that can come from both faith and health communities. For example, one speaker pointed out the negative aspects of some religious behaviors, such as judgment, exclusion, theological ideas that demean . . . or frighten people, and the negative aspects of medical treatment behaviors that perpetuate the racial and ethnic disparities in poor outcomes and low-quality care. It is critical for both sides to understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Answering the "Why"

Repeatedly returning to the why of any collaboration is essential. Isnt the answer to that why always to enhance the health, well-being, and humanflourishing of all people? Another workshop attendee commented on the moral incongruity of faith-based health care organizations acting on the impulse to garner resources and market share in communities at the expense of resources for other key determinants of health, such as adequate housing, education, and so forthcontributing to a health care industry that struggles to improve population health. That observation is key to better aligning resources to help population health strategies succeed.

Finding a Common Moral Ground

Do health care and faith-based care have a common moral basis that guides bothfields toward enhancing population health and well-being? Or do they have different goals that conflict and interfere with each other, leaving the person to contend with only the negatives from both faith care and health care? Hospitals may find themselves in competition with faith-run community health centers (e.g., competition for patients who could visit the emergency department or use primary care services). This competition puts the two immediately at odds, rather than fostering collaboration that could be mutually beneficial.

If faith-based health care prevents the need for high-cost medical industry in the same city, will the more powerful health care organizations restrict the growth and delivery of faith-based health care? So often, world-class health care organizations and hospital systems sit right in the middle of settings for some of the worst health disparities in the country. This is a health-faith issue that needs to be more explicitly addressed. Faith-health collaborations should talk about the imperatives of both the faith and health communitiesbe they moral or economicand how those imperatives can be leveraged to work together on a larger scale to ensure universal access to whole-person health and well-being services for all.

As community, government, and business leaders become aware that health and well-being come primarily from factors outside the medical environment, more partnerships between faith-based and health care organizations like those presented at this workshop will hopefully emerge.

Adapted from "Faith-Health Collaboration to Improve Community and Population Health" by Wayne B. Jonas, MD (Samueli Integrative Health Programs) and Rev. Maeba Jonas, MDiv (Johns Hopkins University), published by the National Academy of Medicine on August 12, 2019. You can read the full article here.

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Confronting the Faith-Health Care Gap - Psychology Today

FLOWER MOUND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mannatech (NASDAQ: MTEX), the global health the wellness company, announces the following promotions and changes to their organization, effective immediately. Promoting from within our company shows we are an organization that values our employees and supports an environment of growth and opportunity, said Al Bala, CEO & President.

Dr. Steve Nugent promoted to Chief Health and Nutrition Officer.

With Mannatech since February 1999, Dr. Nugent has 40 plus years of experience in the integrative health and nutrition industry. He has tested more than 6,000 dietary supplement products and has formulated more than 160 dietary products in his career. He earned a PhD in Psychology specializing in health and wellness psychology from the University of the Rockies and earned three degrees with a focus in business administration, including a Masters degree from National University. Dr. Nugent has served as President of the International Association of Complementary Medicine and is President Emeritus of the American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA) and is currently a professional member of the American College of Nutrition. In this new role, he will contribute more to the areas of product development, technology, marketing, and corporate sales while continuing to lead the Global Scientific Advisory Board.

Landen Fredrick now has Global Marketing added to his responsibilities and his new title is Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.

Landen has played a key role in strategizing and developing sales strategies to contribute to Mannatechs growth and worldwide success. He has worked closely with the GMs to positively grow and develop the global sales strategies with direct involvement with Korea, Greater China, and North America. In addition to his sales role responsibilities for all markets worldwide, he will now oversee the global marketing operations and will work to facilitate greater collaboration and standardization of marketing resources globally. His goal is to enhance Customer and Associate satisfaction through improved sales and marketing synergy and processes. Landen serves as the Chairman of the Board for the M5M Foundation.

Stephanie Lusk is promoted to Vice President, Global Human Resources.

In her recent role as HR Senior Director, Stephanie oversaw Corporates Human Resources, Benefits, Payroll, Recruiting, Employee Engagement, and other HR-related activities. Stephanie collaborates with her team to bring important infrastructure improvements, effectively using online systems to improve efficiencies, and ensuring Mannatech provides competitive benefit packages for employees while reducing costs. For the past two years she has worked diligently with her team and an outside resource to begin a grass-roots effort to significantly impact the employee engagement within headquarters. She will begin incorporating these practices within other global offices. Her expanded role will now oversee Corporate Facilities and her scope broadens to encompass global HR. Her main focus will be to facilitate the implementation of standardized human resource processes globally including areas of recruiting, onboarding, employee engagement, performance reviews, merits/bonus timelines/processes, employee relations reporting, and exit interviews.

Ron Norman now has Supply Chain and Logistics added to his Treasury, Tax, and Business Systems responsibilities and oversight.

Rons background, knowledge, and involvement of Finance and International Operations, will be beneficial in this expanded role of creating net value, continuing to build a competitive infrastructure, leveraging worldwide logistics, synchronizing supply with demand, and measuring performance globally.

Patty Anthe now leads the Customer Service department in addition to her role of managing Events, Incentives, and Recognition. Her new title is Senior Director, Associate Experience.

Anthe has worked diligently over the past several years to elevate the fields experiences at Corporate-sponsored events, incentive trips, and ensuring proper recognition for the accomplishments of our Associates. Her recent involvement and leadership of the Call Center Care Campaign is one of many items she will work towards in creating a synergistic experience for our Associates and Customers.

For more information please visit http://www.Mannatech.com.

About Mannatech

Mannatech, Incorporated is committed to transforming lives through the development of high quality integrated health, weight management, fitness and skin care products distributed through its global network of independent associates and members. The company has been operating for more than 20 years with operations in 26 markets^. For more information, visit Mannatech.com.

^ Mannatech operates in China under a cross-border e-commerce platform that is separate from its network marketing model.

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Mannatech Supports a Strong Workforce by Promoting from Within - Business Wire

5 foods that help you lose weight

It's an amazing world today. With increased longevity, there are many centenarians, but have you heard of supercentenarians, or persons over 110 years? Well, hear about them now! What marks them out? No one knew for long, but now scientists from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS) and Keio University School of Medicine in Japan have an inkling.

Scientists used single-cell RNA analysis to figure out that an exclusive kind of immune cells called cytotoxic CD4 T-cells determine the longevity of humans. The research was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

You know that supercentenarians are a class apart because they live longer than most people. However, here are some more amazing facts: firstly, they are "rare". So in Japan in 2015, there were more than 61,000 who crossed 100. Yet there were only 146 supercentenarians. Research also shows that those over 110 years are more resistant to illnesses such as infections and cancer as long as they lived. Hence, they might have a particularly strong immune system, which is under study right now.

Hence, scientists explored the circulating immune cells of supercentenarians and then some younger control groups. They picked out 41,208 cells from seven of the species. It worked out to an average of 5,887 per subject and 19,994 cells for controls (which again meant an average of 3,999 per subject) from five persons in the 50 to 80 group.

Scientists discovered that while the number of B-cells seemed to be lower among supercentenarians, the number of T-cells seemed to be the same, and in fact one subset of T-cells was actually more among supercentenarians. Hence, the supercentenarians seemed to show a larger number of cytotoxic cells that could decimate other cells. Sometimes, they amounted to 80 percent of all T-cells, vis--vis just 10 or 20 percent among controls.

According to Kosuke Hashimoto of IMS, the first author of the paper, "We were especially interested in studying this group of people, because we consider them to be a good model of healthy aging, and this is important in societies like Japan where aging is proceeding rapidly."

IMS Deputy Director Piero Carninci, one of the leaders of the groups, says, "This research shows how single-cell transcription analysis can help us to understand how individuals are more or less susceptible to diseases. CD4-positive cells generally work by generating cytokines, while CD8-positive cells are cytotoxic, and it may be that the combination of these two features allows these individuals to be especially healthy.

"We believe that this type of cells, which are relatively uncommon in most individuals, even young, are useful for fighting against established tumours, and could be important for immunosurveillance. This is exciting as it has given us new insights into how people who live very long lives are able to protect themselves from conditions such as infections and cancer."

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If you are a 110-year-old supercentenarian, thank your cytotoxic T-cells, shows study - International Business Times, Singapore Edition

After weeks of Republican complaints that the Democrats impeachment inquiry relied on secondhand information, the centerpiece of this weeks public hearings is testimony from a man with a direct line to President Donald Trump.

The political peril for Trump, who was dealt a series of setbacks last week, will be heightened as the House investigation accelerates with three days of public hearings starting tomorrow.

No witness is more central than Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, a Trump donor and a confederate with Rudy Giuliani in back-channel diplomatic efforts for the president in Ukraine.

Sondland, scheduled to testify Wednesday, has already amended his previous closed-door testimony once because of discrepancies with other witnesses. And now there will be new questions for him to answer about Trumps pressure on the government in Kyiv to launch a probe entangling former Vice President Joe Biden and other political foes of the president.

David Holmes, a member of the embassy staff in Kyiv, came forward last week to tell impeachment investigators that following a phone conversation between Sondland and Trump, the EU envoy told him the president didnt give a s about Ukraine and that the president only cares about the big stuff that benefits him like the Biden investigation that Giuliani, Trumps personal lawyer, was promoting.

Testimony from Tuesday through Thursday will come from a disparate cast of witnesses, some of whom could prove pivotal to the impeachment inquiry, including officials from the State Department, the White House national security teams, and Vice President Mike Pences office. Read more from Ryan Teague Beckwith and Billy House.

Former Adviser SaysAid Was Tied to Probe: A former top White House adviser told House impeachment investigators Ukrainians were advised Sept. 1 that U.S. military aid was being withheld until their president announced an investigation of a company that had hired Bidens son, Hunter. Tim Morrison, a former senior director of European and Russian affairs at the National Security Council, said Sondland told him how he had informed a high-ranking Ukrainian official that release of $400 million in aid was being linked to the investigations, according to a transcript of his closed-door testimony released Saturday.

The House committee also released testimony from Jennifer Williams, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, who said she found some of the discussion on the July 25 call between the two leaders to be unusual and inappropriate. Read more from Billy House.

Funding Deadline: Lawmakers are facing a deadline of Thursday to pass legislation to continue funding the government, before they depart for a recess through the week of Thanksgiving. House and Senate leadership have expressed optimism that both chambers will pass a measure ahead of the deadline, though no continuing resolution has been introduced as of this morning and the House schedule offered few details of the timing of a vote.

I hope we pass the CR, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said on the floor Friday. I hope its as clean as it can be. The measure will contain some usual anomalies, noncontroversial changes in funding levels or legislative language, Hoyer said.

FDA Pick to Face Questions on Frankenfish, Stem Cells, Vaping: Trumps selection to be the next head of the FDA will face a barrage of questions this week about his views on vaping, oversight of stem-cell therapies and even Frankenfish. Stephen Hahn, chief medical executive of the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston, will go before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Wednesday for his first public hearing since being nominated to become commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Alex Ruoff details what to expect.

Risch Warns Erdogan of Sanctions: Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho) warned that if Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan persists in the deployment of a Russian air defense system, he will move ahead with a sanctions bill. It is his choice, and he knows the consequences, Risch said in a statement on Friday evening. Just a day earlier, Risch had said that the Senate should hold off on sanctions over Turkeys invasion of Syria if Erdogan agreed to give up the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system. Read more from John Harney.

Anti-Robocall Agreement Reached: House and Senate negotiators on Friday reached an agreement on bipartisan legislation to combat illegal robocalls, and anticipate a vote on the measure this year. The House and Senate passed separate legislation earlier this year with broad bipartisan support, and staff has been working since August to reach an agreement on provisions from the two anti-robocall bills. Read more from Rebecca Kern.

Democrats Subpoena EPA Over Formaldehyde Analysis: Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), chairwoman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, sent two subpoenas to the EPA Friday over the agencys alleged refusal to provide answers about removing formaldehyde from its review program outlook. Johnson said in an accompanying letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler that the committee had suffered through eight months of delayed and insufficient responses. The subpoenas were sent to Wheeler and David Dunlap, deputy assistant administrator for the agencys Office of Research and Development. Read more from Stephen Lee.

Democrats Use Super-PACs to Combat Trump: Wealthy Democratic donors are pouring money into outside groups as part of their effort to defeat Trump in 2020, avoiding contributions to a party apparatus that lost in 2016 and to leading candidates who dont want their help. Outside groups aligned with Democrats have pledged to spend more than $300 million attacking Trump, far more than the $67 million raised by the Democratic National Committee. With little primary opposition, Trump and the Republican Party are already in general election mode, free to spend millions in states hell need to win a second term. The Democratic groups are being fueled by seven-figure checks necessary to advertise in battleground states, blunting Trumps big campaign cash advantage. Read more from Bill Allison.

Buttigieg Wants Public College Free for Some: Pete Buttigieg called for spending $120 billion on the Pell Grant program and making public colleges tuition-free for students eligible for those federal grants as part of his proposal released Monday to improve college affordability. Unlike some of his primary opponents, Buttigieg isnt calling for public colleges to be tuition-free for all students, or for total student-debt cancellation. Hes said families that make over a certain income threshold should pay at least some of the cost of their kids higher education. The plan released Monday focuses on helping lower- and middle-income families. Read more from Tyler Pager.

Louisiana Governors Re-election May Offer Lessons for 2020: John Bel Edwards proved its possible to buck Trumps popularity, winning a second term to remain the only Democratic governor in the Deep South. His victory will give political strategists important insights on what it takes to motivate turnout going into 2020, said University of Pennsylvania political science professor Daniel J. Hopkins. Voters may feel more empowered to back a moderate Democrat, said Hopkins, who explores the nationalization of state politics in his book, The Increasingly United States.

In Louisiana, Trump headlined three rallies to try to drive turnout for Republican Eddie Rispone. Edwards, meanwhile, ran on a record of demonstrated independence from his national party. Read more from Jennifer Kay.

North Carolina Lawmakers Back New Congressional Map: North Carolina lawmakers have approved new congressional boundaries to be used in the 2020 elections. The 13 current U.S. House district lines were redrawn after a state court decided Oct. 28 that the map in place since 2016 couldnt be used, pending further review. The North Carolina Superior Court for Wake County had found that plaintiffs were likely to prevail in a lawsuit claiming the boundaries were illegally drawn to maximize Republican advantage. Read more from Andrew M. Ballard.

Barr Blasts Democrats: Attorney General William Barr fired a broadside against critics of Trump and congressional Democrats in particular while defending the presidents actions. In a fiery speech before the conservative Federalist Society on Friday, Barr said Trumps opponents are using every tool they can to intentionally sabotage his administration. Immediately after President Trump won election, opponents inaugurated what they called the Resistance, Barr said. They essentially see themselves as engaged in a war, to cripple by any means necessary, a duly elected government. Read more from Chris Strohm.

Trump, Kim at Odds Ahead of Deadline: The bonhomie between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is nearing a key deadline showing new signs of strain. Trump urged Kim over the weekend to act quickly to get a nuclear deal done, suggesting the two leaders could meet again soon. His comments came hours after North Korea ruled out nuclear talks without a policy change by the U.S. and reported on a military drill observed by Kim himself.

Veteran North Korea nuclear adviser Kim Kye Gwan told Trump that Pyongyang will no longer give him things to boast about, the states official KCNA news agency today quoted him as saying. He added North Korea is no longer interested in talks that the U.S. uses to buy time. Read more from Glen Carey and Jihye Lee.

Lawmaker Speaks Out Against U.S. Defense-Cost Hike: Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) said Trump is destabilizing the U.S.s relationship with South Korea by demanding the Asian nation pay about $5 billion, or five times the amount of its current one-year deal, to host U.S. troops, Jihye Lee reports. Meng tweeted a letter Friday asking Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to devise a better strategy that values the alliance, adding that such a hike would be extorting South Korea. Meng said such a request also puts U.S. national security and economic interests in jeopardy. She asked the U.S. officials to reconsider and engage in good faith negotiations.

Esper Has Great Faith in U.S. Military Justice System: Secretary Esper expressed his faith in the countrys military justice system, after Trump last week pardoned two soldiers convicted in Afghanistan killings, Glen Carey reports. Id say first of all that we have a very effective military justice system, Esper said during a press conference at the Asean Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus in the Thai capital of Bangkok yesterday. U.S. military personnel are trained from day one about the laws of armed conflict and how to conduct themselves during wartime, he said.

China, U.S. Trade Talks Continue: Top negotiators from China and the U.S. talked again this weekend, after signs of concessions from both sides on some of the outstanding issues. Chinas Vice Premier Liu He, the countrys key negotiator in the trade talks with the U.S., spoke with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer by phone on Saturday morning Beijing time, according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry. They had constructive discussions about each sides core concerns in the phase-one deal, and agreed to stay in close communication, the statement said. The USTR confirmed the call took place. Read more.

Trump to Tour Apples Austin Plant: President Donald Trump is scheduled to tour an Apple manufacturing plant in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, the White House said yesterday. The president plans to visit the plant along with Apple CEO Tim Cook, according to a tweet by spokesman Judd Deere. The Austin American-Statesman newspaper reported that Trump will travel with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other administration officials.

The company announced in September that its new Mac Pro computer will be assembled in Texas after it received exclusions from the Trump administration from tariffs on certain parts imported from China. The visit also comes at a time the U.S. and China are close to finalizing the first phase of a highly-anticipated trade deal. Read more from Hailey Waller.

Facebook, Google Donate Heavily to Privacy Advocacy Groups: Few companies have more riding on proposed privacy legislation than Google and Facebook. To try to steer the bill their way, the giant advertising technology companies spend millions of dollars to lobby each year, a fact confirmed by government filings. Not so well-documented is spending to support highly influential think tanks and public interest groups that are helping shape the privacy debate, ostensibly as independent observers.

Bloomberg Law examined seven prominent nonprofit think tanks that work on privacy issues that received a total of $1.5 million over an 18-month period ending Dec. 31, 2018. The groups included such organizations as the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Future of Privacy Forum and the Brookings Institution. The actual total is undoubtedly much higherexact totals for contributions were difficult to pin down. Read more from Daniel R. Stoller.

Scalia Says Big Law is Unwilling to Defend Conservative Views: Major law firms are shying away from defending conservative viewpoints in court, a trend that should trouble the legal profession, Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia told a group of right-leaning lawyers at a Federalist Society event on Friday. It is appropriate, admirable, and necessary for lawyers to take on clients and advance positions that may offend some observers, Scalia said. But some of the countrys biggest law firms appear to be disinclined to protect free speech and free trade in ideas, he argued, calling that evidence of a broad trend of conservative political views being under attack. Read more from Jaclyn Diaz.

To contact the reporters on this story: Zachary Sherwood in Washington at zsherwood@bgov.com; Brandon Lee in Washington at blee@bgov.com

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giuseppe Macri at gmacri@bgov.com; Loren Duggan at lduggan@bgov.com

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What to Know in Washington: Trump Ally in Impeachment Spotlight - Bloomberg Government

Conference Call and Webcast Today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Highlights Include: ALS Phase 3 Clinical Trial Fully Enrolled, Data Safety Monitoring Board Recommends ALS Phase 3 Clinical Trial Continue, Appointment of CFO, Phase 2 in Progressive MS Continues to Enroll Patients

NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, announced today financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019 and recent corporate updates.

On October 11, 2019 we reached a major corporate milestone by fully enrolling 200 patients in the Phase 3 clinical trial of NurOwn in ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Additionally, on October 28, we announced that we received notification from the NurOwn Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) that after reviewing all of the safety data as of September 30, the study should continue without any changes in the protocol. The DSMB indicated they did not identify any significant safety concerns, stated Chaim Lebovits, President and Chief Executive Officer of BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics. He added, Our Phase 2 trial of NurOwn in Progressive MS (Multiple Sclerosis) continues to enroll patients in several of the leading U.S. medical centers and we anticipate announcing additional investigational centers of excellence in the near future. The first eight (8) participants have been enrolled in the study.

Third Quarter 2019 and Recent Corporate Highlights:

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

For further details on BrainStorms financials, including financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2019, refer to Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14th, 2019.

Conference Call and Webcast: Thursday, November 14, 2019 @ 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time

A webcast replay of the conference call will be available for 30 days on the Investors & Media page of BrainStorms website:

About NurOwnNurOwn (autologous MSC-NTF) cells represent a promising investigational therapeutic approach to targeting disease pathways important in neurodegenerative disorders. MSC-NTF cells are produced from autologous, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that have been expanded and differentiated ex vivo. MSCs are converted into MSC-NTF cells by growing them under patented conditions that induce the cells to secrete high levels of neurotrophic factors. Autologous MSC-NTF cells can effectively deliver multiple NTFs and immunomodulatory cytokines directly to the site of damage to elicit a desired biological effect and ultimately slow or stabilize disease progression. BrainStorm has fully enrolled a Phase 3 pivotal trial of autologous MSC-NTF cells for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). BrainStorm also recently received U.S. FDA acceptance to initiate a Phase 2 open-label multicenter trial in progressive MS and enrollment began in March 2019.

About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of innovative autologous adult stem cell therapeutics for debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. The Company holds the rights to clinical development and commercialization of the NurOwn technology platform used to produce autologous MSC-NTF cells through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement. Autologous MSC-NTF cells have received Orphan Drug status designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in ALS. BrainStorm has fully enrolled a Phase 3 pivotal trial in ALS (NCT03280056), investigating repeat-administration of autologous MSC-NTF cells at six U.S. sites supported by a grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM CLIN2-0989). The pivotal study is intended to support a filing for U.S. FDA approval of autologous MSC-NTF cells in ALS. BrainStorm also recently received U.S. FDA clearance to initiate a Phase 2 open-label multicenter trial in progressive Multiple Sclerosis. The Phase 2 study of autologous MSC-NTF cells in patients with progressive MS (NCT03799718) started enrollment in March 2019. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.brainstorm-cell.com.

Safe-Harbor StatementStatements in this announcement other than historical data and information, including statements regarding future clinical trial enrollment and data, constitute "forward-looking statements" and involve risks and uncertainties that could causeBrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'sactual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Terms and phrases such as "may", "should", "would", "could", "will", "expect", "likely", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "predict", "potential", and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, BrainStorms need to raise additional capital, BrainStorms ability to continue as a going concern, regulatory approval of BrainStorms NurOwn treatment candidate, the success of BrainStorms product development programs and research, regulatory and personnel issues, development of a global market for our services, the ability to secure and maintain research institutions to conduct our clinical trials, the ability to generate significant revenue, the ability of BrainStorms NurOwn treatment candidate to achieve broad acceptance as a treatment option for ALS or other neurodegenerative diseases, BrainStorms ability to manufacture and commercialize the NurOwn treatment candidate, obtaining patents that provide meaningful protection, competition and market developments, BrainStorms ability to protect our intellectual property from infringement by third parties, heath reform legislation, demand for our services, currency exchange rates and product liability claims and litigation, and other factors detailed in BrainStorm's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q available athttp://www.sec.gov. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on BrainStorm's forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or assumptions if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, unless otherwise required by law. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

CONTACTS

Corporate:Uri YablonkaChief Business OfficerBrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.Phone: 646-666-3188uri@brainstorm-cell.com

Media:Sean LeousWestwicke/ICR PRPhone: +1.646.677.1839sean.leous@icrinc.com

BRAINSTORM CELL THERAPEUTICS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESINTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSU.S. dollars in thousands(Except share data)

BRAINSTORM CELL THERAPEUTICS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESINTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED)U.S. dollars in thousands(Except share data)

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BrainStorm Announces Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2019 and Provides a Corporate Update - GlobeNewswire

Having great eyesight is something most people take for granted. Rather than failing to take care of your eyesight, you need to work hard to have this vital part of your body inspected on a regular basis. Nearly 25 million Americans are affected by serious eye problems like cataracts. Early detection is a key component of successfully treating eye conditions.

Most people fail to realize that most major health insurance plans dont have vision coverage. Instead of paying out of pocket for things like glasses or eye exams, work on getting a supplemental vision insurance policy. With all of the different supplemental vision insurance plans on the market, finding the right one will be hard work. Rushing through this important decision is a recipe for disaster, which is why weighing all of your options is crucial.

Read below for a list of considerations that need to be made before choosing a supplemental vision insurance plan.

The biggest misconception most Medicare recipients have is that vision coverage comes with each plan. In reality, Parts A and B do not allow recipients to get coverage for routine vision care. The best way to ensure this does not become a financial burden is by seeking out a Medicare Advantage plan. There are a variety of Advantage plans that feature vision coverage.

Ideally, you want to choose an Advantage plan that covers both preventative care and treatment for serious eye-related problems like retinal detachment and macular degeneration. The more you know about the various Medicare Advantage plans at your disposal, the easier it will be to be the right one selected.

Checking on the HealthMarkets website is a great way to get the best vision insurance for an affordable price. This website provides information about a host of Medicare Advantage plans, which means narrowing down your policy options will be a breeze.

Having 20/20 vision is something most people take for granted. Unfortunately, as a person ages, their vision will begin to get worse. Instead of thinking you can get by without vision coverage because your eyes are currently in good shape is a horrible mistake. This error can lead to you paying for serious eye care procedures out of pocket. While this may not sound like a big deal, it can actually put you in a financial bind.

Instead of waiting until you are saddled with a large bill for eye surgery, you need to seek out comprehensive coverage. Allowing an insurance agent to weigh in on this important decision is vital. With their guidance, you should have no problem getting the best vision insurance policy to fit your needs.

Being a parent is one of the most important jobs you will take on in this lifetime. Keeping your child happy and healthy should be one of the biggest concerns you have. Making sure your little one can get routine eye exams and glasses when needed is crucial. The best way to avoid problems with providing this care to your child is by finding the right vision insurance policy.

In order for a child to qualify for a joint policy with their parent, they will need to be under the age of 18. Before choosing a particular eye insurance policy, consider how much preventative care it approves. Ideally, you want to choose a policy that allows you and your child to get yearly eye exams free of charge.

While a great supplemental vision insurance policy will cover the majority of the care you receive, there may be some out of pocket costs. Finding out what these costs will be before choosing a particular policy is important. Ignoring the need for this information may lead to you being overwhelmed with the cost later on.

Some people make the mistake of looking at a few supplement eye insurance policies and making a decision out of desperation. Doing this may lead to the wrong policy being chosen, which is why you need to weigh every option before signing off on a supplement insurance policy.

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Trying to Get the Right Supplemental Vision Insurance Plan? Consider These Helpful Tips! | PVP - PVP Live

A health worker conducts a cataract screening in Sierra Leone. Photo by: Mustafa ztrk / IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation/ CC BY-NC-ND

Imagine being unable to see when a 20-minute operation could restore your sight, or unable to work or succeed in school because you need a pair of glasses. It may seem unthinkable. Yet this is the realityfor hundreds of millions of people suffering from poor vision in countries with insufficient health care resources. And as the worlds population grows and ages, global blindness and visual impairment are expected to tripleover the next three decades. A crisis is on the horizon that, if left unaddressed, could lead blindnessto increaseto 115 million people globally, with another 588 million suffering from moderate or severe vision impairment.

These are alarming statistics. But the good news is that 75% of all blindness and visual impairment is treatable or preventable. If we are to avoid a looming crisis, we must be strategic in how we target and scale up our efforts and we must start now. Heres how.

First, we must upskill local eye health teams to provide consistent care for their communities over the long term. We know that it is not enough to drop in health services to rural and resource-poor communities. As heads of the worlds four leading not-for-profit eye health organizations, our teams have more than 240 years of combined experience in 55 countries, including in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Those areas are home to the vast majority of visually impaired people and, not coincidentally, are where health systems are in crisis due to a lack of medical professionals, including eye health workers. Meeting demand means providing quality training not just for surgeons, but also nurses, social workers, and support staff who can help to share the work of patient care.

Second, it will be essential to utilize innovative teaching tools and technology to take programs to scale and further our reach. The number of people in need of eye care worldwide is outpacing the number of trained ophthalmologists. Remotely connecting eye health professionals with experts across the world is one way to turn the tide.

Likewise, using tools such as artificial intelligence and telemedicine to more efficiently screen and diagnose common conditions will become the way of the future. Doing so will ensure communities without access to eye care can undergo routine checkups at local clinics, only receiving referrals to larger, and often distant, health centers when necessary, reducing the burden on doctors and patients alike.

Finally, we must join forces. Now is the time to act by collaborating to create sustainable eye health resources. We have already seen examples of whats possible when like-minded organizations join forces to amplify their impact. For example, Vision 2020 a global project of the World Health Organizationand the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindnessto decrease avoidable blindness, ending next year has reduced blindness down to 36 million people in the world at a time when the number of blind people had been projected to double.

Together with global partners, our four organizations have played a leading role in reducingthe number of people at risk of trachoma the leading cause of infectious blindness around the world by an astounding 91% since 2002.

WHO recently published its first-ever World Report on Vision, which reinforces the urgency of the crisis. The report says there are 2.2 billion people in the world with impaired vision and, for at least 1 billion of them, it could have been prevented or treated. We hope the report helps galvanize and support governments, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to strengthen their eye care systems and deliver on the commitments made by governmentsduring the U.N. General Assembly in September to address eye health needs as part of universal health coverage.

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When people cannot see, it can be much harder for them to actively participate in their local economies and social engagements, such as finding and keeping a job, attending family celebrations, or even running errands and completing chores. Blindness can result in social isolation and a higher risk of death related to depression and falls.

Blindness and visual impairment can trap families in a cycle of poverty. On the flip side, we know that every $1 invested in eye health in developing countries resultsin $4 in economic gain. Consider that the most prevalent causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment are cataractsand refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These common conditions can be easily corrected, delivering benefits far beyond restoring sight.

A World Bankreport declared routine cataract surgery one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, while a recent studyamong tea pickers in India showed that simply providing a pair of glasses led to marked improvements in productivity and earnings, with results even higher among workers over the age of 50.

Poor vision is also a gender equity issue. Currently, 55%of the worlds blind or visually impaired people are women and girls. Efforts to ensure access to eye care will particularly benefit them, and if we address this issue, they will be better able to contribute to community life and seek education and employment.

Our vision is clear: With these approaches, we can fight this crisis and improve the future of people and communities around the world. Many problems facing humanity appear intractable, but this is one problem we know how to resolve.

Devex, with financial support from our partner Essilor, is exploring challenges, solutions, and innovations in eye care and vision. Visit the Focus on: Visionpage for more.

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Opinion: A vision crisis is looming unless we act now - Devex

(PRESS RELEASE) BRIDGEWATER, NJ Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, in collaboration with TerraCycle, a world leader in the collection and repurposing of hard-to-recycle post-consumer waste, announces the donation of custom training modules to the Guide Dog Foundation, a national not-for-profit that trains guide dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired. The training modules, including benches, tables, waste stations and an agility ramp, were made from used contact lens materials collected through the Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE Recycling Program, the first and only contact lens recycling program of its kind in the United States, along with other recycled material.

The training modules will be presented to the Guide Dog Foundation at its headquarters in Smithtown, N.Y., and will be utilized in the training of guide dogs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired as well as helping to further enhance the campus for those who visit.

The ONE by ONE Recycling program and our collaboration with TerraCycle is representative of our companys long-standing commitment to sustainability. With this donation, were taking this program one step further, bringing new life to these materials by supporting the work of the Guide Dog Foundation, an organization that provides sight through the magnificent work of guide dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired, said John Ferris, general manager, U.S. Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb.

We are grateful for the efforts of Bausch + Lomb and TerraCycle in reducing the environmental waste of contact lenses while also making this critical donation to help improve the lives of those who are blind or visually impaired, said John Miller, CEO, Guide Dog Foundation. These training modules will be a wonderful addition to our training facility where our instructors train guide dogs the significant skills and tasks they need to increase the independence and mobility for people living with these conditions.

Since its inception in Nov. 2016, the ONE by ONE Recycling program has collected nearly 16 million used contact lenses, blister packs and top foils, which equates to more than 95,000 pounds of waste, making a significant impact on reducing the waste associated with contact lens use, especially daily disposable lenses. The donation to the Guide Dog Foundation is in recognition of this milestone and in commemoration of America Recycles Day (Friday, Nov. 15, 2019), the programs third anniversary.

We are delighted to celebrate America Recycles Day and the third anniversary of the Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE Recycling program through the donation of these materials to the Guide Dog Foundation, said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO, TerraCycle. Before the ONE by ONE Recycling program, contact lenses were one of the forgotten waste streams that were often overlooked due to their size. In the three years since the implementation of the program, weve seen positive momentum from contact lens wearers who continue to use this program. Together we are helping to preserve our environment and transitioning these materials back into the world in a positive way its a win-win for all.

The ONE by ONE Recycling program encourages contact lens wearers to bring their used contact lenses and packaging to any one of the more than 4,200 participating eye care professionals offices to recycle them in custom recycling bins provided by Bausch + Lomb. Once the recycling bins are full, the optometry practice mails the materials to TerraCycle using a free shipping label from http://www.bauschrecycles.com. The materials are then received by TerraCycle, where the metal layers of the blister packs are recycled separately, while the contact lenses and plastic blister pack components are melted into plastic. These materials can then be remolded into new recycled products, such as the training modules donated to the Guide Dog Foundation.

In addition to the training module donation made to the Guide Dog Foundation, the ONE by ONE Recycling Program donates $10 to Optometry Giving Sight, the only global fundraising initiative that specifically targets the prevention of blindness and impaired vision by providing eye exams and glasses to those in need, for every 10 pounds of contact lens waste collected from participating ONE by ONE recycling centers.

The donation to the Guide Dog Foundation was funded through the Bausch Foundation (www.bauschfoundation.org), which was established in 2017 to improve the lives of patients globally by providing access to safe, effective medicines and by financially supporting health care education and causes around the world.

For more information on the Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE Recycling program, visit http://www.bauschrecycles.com

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American Diabetes Association and VSP Vision Care Collaborate to Save Sight for People with Diabetes - InvisionMag

First-of-its-kind(1)contact lens delivers superior visual performance(2)with seamless adaptation to light day and night(3)

The UK is the first market in EMEA to make the contact lens widely available amidst findings that 70% of Britons' eyes are bothered by light(4)

LONDON, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Johnson & Johnson Vision* today announced the national availability of ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology in the UK. The first-of-its-kind1photochromic contact lens offers superior visual performance indoor and outdoor, day and night.

Named one of TIME magazine's best inventions, ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions combines the proven comfort and vision performance of ACUVUE OASYS5, with the ability to reduce the stressful impact that light can have on your eyes++3. The lens also reduces halos and starbursts around bright lights at night, delivering more effortless sight with less squinting.6++

A recent survey commissioned by Johnson & Johnson Vision found 70% of Britons' eyes are bothered by light, which can result in feelings of eye tiredness, distraction and discomfort. The survey revealed driving is the most common situation causing Brits to be bothered by light (56%), followed by the change of moving from dark to light environments, such as leaving a cinema or shopping centre (51%).

The awareness of the impact of light on eye health is also growing, with half of UK respondents (52%) indicating they are concerned about the impact of light on their eyes.

In response, 94% of UK adults who are bothered by light are turning to solutions to cope and protect their eyes, by shading their eyes (74%), squinting (71%) and turning down screen brightness (47%).

Speaking about the new product, Jakob Sveen, Director Northern European Cluster and General Manager UK & Ireland, Johnson & Johnson Vision said: "We are excited to bring ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology to the UK. In Europe, 64% of those who stop wearing reusable contact lenses do so because of performance and comfort issues7. Consumers are demanding more from their contact lenses beyond improved sight alone which is what makes this contact lens so great. We believe this technology will be a game changer for the health and eye care industries, giving contact lens wearers superior visual performance over any other contact lens on the market."

The creation of the ground-breaking lens follows more than a decade of work by Johnson & Johnson Vision in partnership with Transitions Optical Limited, the leading provider of photochromic (smart adaptive) eyeglass lenses worldwide. The two organisations are working together to research and deliver best-in-class vision care innovations.

Johnson & Johnson Vision is collaborating with UK influencers and athletes, such as marathon runner Matt Rees, to share how light affects their eyes and visual performance every day, and the benefits that ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions can bring to a range of situations, whether it is commuting in and out of the office, attending an event, playing sports or driving at night.

ACUVUEOASYS with Transitions is a two-week reusable contact lens. It is now commercially available at select retailers in the UK and is being rolled-out to other markets in EMEA. Anyone interested in the lens should speak with an eye care practitioner for a prescription. For more information or to find an eye care professional near you, visit https://www.acuvue.co.uk. Follow the conversation on Instagram and Facebook.

Survey Methodology Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. and TRUE Global Intelligence, the in-house research practice of FleishmanHillard, conducted a 10-minute online survey among a nationally representative sample of 1,047 UK adults, 18 years of age and older, from 19 February through 13 March, to explore the prevalence of light sensitivity among consumers. The margin of error is +/-3 percent at a 95% confidence level.

About Johnson & Johnson VisionAt Johnson & Johnson Vision,part ofJohnson & JohnsonMedical Devices Companies**,we have a bold ambition: to change the trajectory of eye health around the world. Through our operating companies, we deliver innovation that enables eye care professionals to create better outcomes for patients throughout their lives, with products and technologies that address unmet needs including refractive error, cataracts and dry eye. In communities with greatest need, we work in collaboration to expand access to quality eye care, and we are committed to helping people see better, connect better and live better. Visit us atwww.jnjvisioncare.co.uk/. Follow@JNJVisionon Twitter andJohnson & Johnson Visionon LinkedIn.

About Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies As the world's most comprehensive medical devices business, we are building on a century of experience, merging science and technology, to shape the future of health and benefit even more people around the world. With our unparalleled breadth, depth and reach across surgery, orthopaedics, vision and interventional solutions, we're working to profoundly change the way care is delivered. We are in this for life.

**Comprising the surgery, orthopaedics, vision and interventional businesses within the Johnson & Johnson's Medical Devices segment

ImportantInformationfor Contact Lens Wearers:ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and lens care instructions provided by your optician. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your optician immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional and ask for a Patient Instruction Guide, call 0800 022 4222 or visit http://www.acuvue.co.uk

All ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses have Class 1 or Class 2 UV Blocking to help provide protection against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye. UV absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV absorbing eyewear such as UV absorbing goggles or sunglasses because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area.

The third-party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

ACUVUE and ACUVUE OASYS are registered trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd 2019. Transitions is a registered trademark, the Transitions logo, Transitions Light Intelligent Technology and Transitions Light Intelligent Lenses are trademarks of Transitions Optical, Inc. used under license by Transitions Optical Limited. 16OctUK3734

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (Ireland) T/A Vision Care Ireland RSC

* Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (Ireland) T/A Vision Care Ireland RSC JJV Data on File 2018: Definition of ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions Light Intelligent TechnologyTIME recognized ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions as one of their Best Inventions of 2018.++Compared to ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS

1FDA Press Release: FDA clears first contact lens with light-adaptive technology https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm604263.htm April 10, 2018.2 JJV Data on File 2018. ACUVUE OASYS with TransitionsTM Light Intelligent TechnologyTM Objective and Subjective Clinical.3 JJV Data on File 2018. Definition of ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology.4JJV and FH TRUE Global Intelligence 2019 UK Survey5 ACUVUEOASYS has never been beaten in comfort.www.clinicaltrials.govis a website maintained by the NIH. The 23 clinical studies evaluated subjective comfort as a primary or secondary endpoint for ACUVUEOASYS Brand with HYDRACLEARPlus or ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day with HydraLuxe Technology. Review conducted as of August, 2018.6AAO Academy 2018 Presentation: The Impact of Photochromic Contact Lenses on Daytime and Nighttime Driving Performance, John Buch, OD, FAAO. Available at: https://www.jnjvisionpro.com/sites/us/files/public/Grants/Academy/jjv_academy2018_clinicalresearchinnovations_final.pdf (page 13). November 7, 2018.7JJV Data on file 2019: Data substantiation for P2P Poland, Italy, Germany, France, UK and Denmark.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600714/Johnson_and_Johnson_Vision_Logo.jpg

http://www.its.jnj.com

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Vision

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Johnson & Johnson Vision Announces National Availability of ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology in the - PR Newswire UK

After a brief spell of breathable air, the air quality index has dipped yet again and the hazardous pollution levels are making it difficult to breathe well.We all know that air pollution carries along with serious health implications and leads to a host of issues. Difficulty breathing, congestion, compromised immunity, allergies, headaches are impacting everybody. Apart from this, pollution can also affect you in sneaky little ways, even potentially troubling your eyesight!Bad air quality has to lead to people complaining of eye problems and allergies, which need to be attended at once. Since you are constantly being exposed to smog, the pollutants find an easy way to settle in-between eye cavities and harm your vision. Some of the most visible symptoms of pollution include the following:-Water eyes-Sore eyes-Redness, swelling, itching sensation-Experiencing discomfort or a burning sensation.-Dry eyes and allergy.-Blurring and hazy vision.

If you experience any of these symptoms, practice care and avoid further exposure. The last thing you want is for the pollutants to impact your vision. There are also some ways you can protect your eyes from the nasty air pollution.

Stay hydratedIt is very important to not miss out on the water intake. Make sure to drink lots of water. It washes away the toxins as well as helps support tear formation in the eyes, which is an important function that protects against dry eyes syndrome and gets rid of irritants that may lurk beneath your eyelids.

Blink your eyes more oftenOne of the simplest ways you can undo the damage done by pollution is by blinking your eyes properly. When you blink, a special protective tear film is produced which protects your eyes, provides moisture and does not let the pollutants settle in.

Pay attention to your dietJust like the foods, you eat can clear out nasal passageways and strengthen your immunity, the same applies to your eyesight. Your daily food intake should include ample Vitamin A, Omega-3 fatty acid content, apart from green leafy vegetables and fruits. All of these food groups are good for your eyes.

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Burning, itchy eyes during pollution? Here's what to do - Times of India

Nearly half (45%) of employers are concerned that their employees who drive forwork do not have the necessary eyesight fit for driving, according to research from Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.

As sponsors ofRoad Safety Week (November 18-24), Specsavers is encouraging employers to take the lead in ensuring drivers have adequate vision to drive for work purposes.

The eyecare company surveyed more than 500 human resource decision makers from a wide range of companies across the UK.

Jim Lythgow, director of strategic alliances at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, said: It may be a surprise to many that this figure is so high, especially as the legal requirements for driver eyesight are actually quite minimal.

The law still just requires a driver to be able to read a modern number plate from a distance of 20 metres.

"The fact that so many employers are concerned should serve as a wake-up call.

The research shows that employers are taking the correct steps to improve the situation, with nearly three quarters (72%) saying that they offer workplace eye care to all who drive for work.

If employers are offering eye care to the majority of drivers but are still concerned that their eyesight is not good enough, then clearly something is missing.

It is not enough to just offer corporate eye care. It needs to be proactively communicated and promoted too.

If employees were more aware of the risks they run by not having regular eye tests, such as potentially losing their driving license, they may be more likely to take up the benefit, added Lythgow.

Specsavers has urged companies to put up posters and information on staff noticeboards or to upload details of eye care benefits to the company website.

One initiative Specsavers participate in is access to wellbeing days, which allow them to promote all health benefits on offer to their staff.

New research from the road safety charity Brake has revealed that nearly a third of adults were in a collision, or had a near miss, with a vehicle on UK roads in the past year.

Companies such as Driver Hire have joined Specsavers in backing Road Safety Week 2019.

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Almost half of employers think drivers have poor eyesight - FleetNews

CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charity Intelligence Canada (CI) has announced that Operation Eyesight has been selected as one of their Top 10 Impact Charities of 2019, and one of their Top 10 International Charities. Of the 750 Canadian charities rated for impact, Operation Eyesight was among the top performers, and the only Calgary-based organization in the international category.

Operation Eyesight is making an impact by restoring sight and preventing blindness for people in developing countries. They partner with local government and hospitals in these countries with a sustainable approach that eliminates avoidable blindness in the most vulnerable communities.

With access to affordable eye care services, better nutrition and better education, avoidable blindness can be eliminated. Thats where we come in, says Aly Bandali, President and CEO, Operation Eyesight. When you invest in Operation Eyesight, you become part of a movement that empowers people to take ownership of their own eye health. When people can see, their futures become brighter.

According to the World Health Organizations World Report on Vision, more than 2.2 billion people suffer from a vision impairment. For at least 1 billion people, their vision impairment has not yet been addressed but their vision could be restored through a number of interventions, including prescription eyeglasses, cataract surgery, antibiotics or other forms of treatment. By providing these interventions, Operation Eyesight impacts the lives of individuals and their communities by giving them back their independence, helping them break the cycle of poverty.

Operation Eyesight works with local hospital partners to strengthen their capacity and offer a supply of quality, affordable eye care services to more people. They also create demand for these services by encouraging eye health-seeking behavior and empowering communities to take responsibility for their eye health needs. Operation Eyesight currently works in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Liberia and Ethiopia, and they hope to expand to other developing countries where the burden is great in unmet eyecare needs.

To learn more, visit https://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-profiles/top-10-impact-charities-of-2019 and operationeyesight.com.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Aly Bandali, please contact:Melissa CrockerSenior Marketing SpecialistOperation Eyesight CanadaPhone: 587-602-2310crockerm@operationeyesight.com

About Operation Eyesight Universal

Operation Eyesight Universal is an international development organization dedicated to eliminating avoidable blindness in developing countries. Founded in Calgary in 1963, Operation Eyesight is working to restore sight and prevent blindness in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Liberia and Ethiopia. Operation Eyesight invests in sustainable treatment, prevention and community development activities to address specific eye health problems as well as the root causes of blindness. For more information about the work we do and how to donate, visit operationeyesight.com.

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Operation Eyesight Named One of the Top 10 Impact Charities by Charity Intelligence Canada - GlobeNewswire

For most people, mid-November is too early to put up a Christmas tree. But for the Spainhouers the tree couldn't go up fast enough.

It is the first time in a very long time Maritza saw her Christmas tree with the help of a vision head-set.

"I'm even getting some teary-eyed right now. It's exciting," said Maritza Spainhouer.

Maritza is vision-impaired. Her eyesight is 25% of total vision and she tells WFAA she has little to no peripheral vision. She was born with a condition called retinitis pigmentosa which will gradually lead to complete loss of vision.

Maritza was excited to get the Christmas tree up as soon as possible this year because she hasn't seen her tree in nearly 13 years. Now with the help of the IrisVision head-set, she can see the ornaments on her tree.

"It was a pure surprise and to see her reaction just made my heart jump for joy," said Steven, her husband.

Patricia Smith goes to the same church as the Spainhouers and introduced them to the IrisVision goggles. She is also vision-impaired and now trains others on the head-set.

"I can see the reds, I can see the blues, I can see the green of the tree," Maritza said.

Those are all the colors people usually take for granted seeing during the holidays.

Maritza has used the goggles for six months and she can finally see her three parakeets and won't have to use the jumbo deck of cards. She is even considering going back to school.

"It opened my opportunities. It's really a Christmas miracle," said Maritza and Steven.

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McKinney woman uses vision goggles to see Christmas tree for the first time in nearly 13 years - WFAA.com

Wet age-related macular degeneration, or wAMD, is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. Breakthrough treatments come with a steep price tag and treatment burden for the patient, but a new study suggests their benefits to patient health and society would top billions of dollars, or more, if adherence could be improved.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects approximately 11 million people in the U.S. The wet form of the disease, which is caused by the abnormal growth of blood vessels under the retina, progresses rapidly. Symptoms include blurred vision and blind spots, which can often lead to legal blindness.

While only 10% of people with macular degeneration develop the wet form, the symptoms for these patients are much worse; in the past, wAMD has caused 90% of blindness associated with macular degeneration.

New treatments for wAMD not only prevent further vision loss, but have also been shown to improve vision with the benefits of these innovative treatments lasting for multiple years, according to clinical trials. But the administration of these treatments is burdensome and requires patients to receive injections in their eye as frequently as every four to eight weeks. More than half of Medicare patients discontinue treatment within the first year due to cost, the inability to get transportation to and from their retina specialists, and fear or discomfort from receiving these injections.

The new economic study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, quantifies the benefits of treatment for wAMD. It found improvements in vision from innovative treatments generated $5.1 to $8.2 billion in patient benefits. This translates to $0.9 to $3.0 billion in societal value (patient benefits minus treatment costs) over three years. Future innovative treatments that lead to improved adherence would generate an additional $7.3 to $15.0 billion in patient benefits, they estimate.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT

Treatments for wAMD first came on the market around 2006. Called anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), these treatments target the abnormal growth of the blood vessels and have been shown to restore patients' eyesight for a number of years.

In clinical trials, these treatments were administered to patients monthly via an injection in the eye. But in practice, adherence tends to decline because of the discomfort associated with the eye injections, difficulty in getting to retina specialists for timely care, and cost. To address this patient burden, some doctors have modified treatment plans that allow for lower injection frequency, taking into account the patient's documented vision improvements, cost, and the burden of administering the treatment.

Taking into account the costs associated with treatment, the researchers modeled treatment scenarios to provide practitioners, patients, and payers with information about the value of anti-VEGF therapy. Their findings quantified the benefits derived from the therapy to individual patients and society.

They modeled multiple treatment scenarios: a no injection scenario; less frequent injections (in which patients received approximately eight injections per year); more frequent injections (in which patients received an average of 10.5 injections per year); improved adherence (in which 85% of patients initiate therapy and adherence improves); and innovation scenarios (based on clinical trial data representing best case scenarios with patients receiving either more or less frequent injections).

The researchers found that even under current treatment conditions of less frequent injections, treatment generates over $1 billion for the full population with wAMD in year one and $5.1 billion in year three. With improved adherence, benefits to the patient population were estimated to reach $7.3 to $11.4 billion in year three.

This translates to a benefit to society (patient benefit minus treatment costs) of $0.9 to $3.0 billion across three years in the current treatment scenarios and upwards of over $4 billion in the innovative treatment scenario (i.e., when a drug that leads to better adherence is discovered).

The authors find innovations to improve treatment adherence could generate an additional $1.2 to $3.7 billion in patient benefit and $59 million to $1.3 billion in societal value compared to current treatment scenarios -- highlighting the fact that when patients follow through with necessary treatment, individuals, providers and society as a whole can reap the rewards.

Twitter:@JELagasse

Email the writer:jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com

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Treatments for leading cause of blindness generate $0.9 to $3 billion in patient, economic benefit - Healthcare Finance News

IRISH actress Victoria Smurfit has told how finding out that her daughter will eventually go blind was like a wrecking ball out of the sky.

The former Ballykissangel stars 14-year-old daughter, Evie, suffers from Stargardts Macular Dystrophy, an eye condition which leads to blindness.

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The teen was diagnosed when she was just 12-years-old and her condition is deteriorating as she gets older.

Mum-of-three Victoria, 45, says her whole world came crashing down around her when they found out Evie would eventually lose her sight completely.

She said: Its a bit wrecking ball out of the sky you didnt see coming.

"As a parent, if there is a problem with your kid, you find a solution, end of story. Its just what you do.

But to be in a position where thats a much harder thing to find, because it hasnt been created yet, its astonishing.

Evie says she was first confronted with the harrowing realisation that she was losing her sight when she tried to find a book that she needed for school.

She said: I remember one time in a book shop, I was crying because I was supposed to get a book for school but I couldnt read it.

"That was one of those moments, where it hit me, Im going blind.

Now, my eyesight is very clouded all the time, colour is blended in together and so everything is kind of a smooth surface from a afar.

"I have lights in my vision, like fairy lights, like fireworks exploding everywhere.

There are good days and bad days, some days are worse than others because it only hits you, that Im going to go blind but Im also helping people by talking about it.

The pair opened up about Evies condition as leading eye experts descended on Dublin for the Fighting Blindness Retina 2019 conference, which started today and continues tomorrow.

The conference brings together scientists and experts from all over the world to share knowledge on research efforts to find a cure for sight loss.

And Victoria and Evie are determined to do as much as possible to help raise awareness for the genetic condition, and raise money to go towards research.

Tomorrow night, the pair will appear at the Vision Ball in the K Club where Evie will deliver a keynote speech on her experience with sight loss.

As well as her advocacy work for Stargardts, Evie revealed shed love to follow in her famous mums footsteps by pursuing a career in acting.

As her mum stood by, shaking her head in disapproval, Evie said: If I had the opportunity to act in something then I would. I love acting. I have since I was a kid. I was in The Clinic when I was about three.

"Ive done a lot of school plays and things but I would love to do more.

Its back to work on set for Victoria on Monday, who begins shooting a new movie, Hair Raisers, starring The Commitments actress, Angeline Ball.

The Once Upon A Time actress recently moved her entire family from their home in Santa Monica over to Surrey in the UK to be closer to family, friends and world-class medical services.

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We revealed earlier this year that the family also choose to leave after a gunman turned up at her daughter school.

And she says its the best decision shes ever made to move closer to home.

She said: Its brilliant being back. The problem in the US is that there is nowhere has not been touched by gun violence, malls, churches, schools, cinemas, you name it, theres been an incident. You should have to have a low grade fear to walk out your door."

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Victoria Smurfit says finding out daughter will eventually go blind was like wrecking ball out of the s - The Irish Sun

People with vision impairments face substantial challenges in tasks of everyday living that can significantly limit their participation in healthy lifestyle choices.

Laura Dreer, Ph.D.Laura Dreer, Ph.D., associate professor with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, has been awarded a grant from the Obesity Health Disparities Research Center at UAB to examine how low vision impacts engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors and weight management and risk of obesity.

People with vision impairments face substantial challenges in tasks of everyday living. These trials can significantly limit their participation in physical activity, healthy dietary intake/nutrition, and lifestyle behaviors. For example, vision loss often interferes with meal preparation, cooking, grocery shopping all of which can impact healthy eating choices. Additionally, problems with restricted vision can also affect balance, mobility and orientation, limiting physical activity and routine exercise.

As such, this type of sensory loss may be associated with unhealthy lifestyle choices that influence greater risk for obesity and secondary health conditions in comparison to individuals with good or adequate sight.

While there is a growing amount of scientific literature documenting the higher prevalence of obesity among people with physical or intellectual disabilities versus people without disabilities, there is a limited amount of obesity research specifically studying people with a sensory disability affected by limited or low vision. Further lacking is the availability of empirically validated weight management and lifestyle programs tailored to the challenges confronted by people with this particular disability.

Dreer and colleagues preliminary data supports this notion withthat weight classification prevalence rates ranging from 53 percent obese, 26.5 percent overweight and only 20.5 percent normal weight among those diagnosed with progressive eye diseases. These rates highlight the health disparity for obesity among persons with a vision-related disability compared to the national rates among those without a disability.

She said this public health issue is particular problematic in the Deep South where obesity rates are much higher compared to other regions of the country.

Dreer and colleagues also found that higher body mass index scores, measured objectively, were significantly associated with being older and having a lower annual household income, poorer perception of health, minority race, greater number and type of chronic health conditions, slower physical activity levels and less intensity, greater sedentary behavior, greater worry over health, and poor sleep.

Greater vision impairment was significantly related to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and sedentary behavior. However, on a promising note, 70 percent of the sample expressed an interest in losing weight and improving their health behaviors.

As part of the new grant, Dreer and colleagues will expand upon this preliminary work by proposing to further understand the unique challenges related to limited or no vision that interfere with participating in important lifestyle behaviors that are critical for managing weight and overall health. Results will then be used in the second part of the project to inform the adaptation process of an evidence-based and theoretically driven lifestyle and health program tailored to the unique challenges this population.

Local community partners will also participate in this innovative effort.

The ultimate goal is to translate the resulting program into health, recreation or sport-related organizations and agencies locally and nationally, she said. Other formats people with for people with low vision can access from their home are also being developed.

This grant is funded by the National Institute on Minority Health Disparities Research (NIMHD: U54MD000502) of the National Institutes of Health

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Grant will explore low vision's impact on healthy lifestyle behaviors - UAB News

Just like every other part of the body, eyes age as we do. Poor diet, excess sun exposure, toxins, infections, and physical and emotional stressors cause wear and tear on the body, and often translate into poor eyesight. This wear and tear produces free radicals, unstable molecules that harm us at the cellular level. The eyes are prone to damage by free radicals. This damage may result in us having vision problems or suffering from age-related macular degeneration or other eye disorders, but you can help protect your eyes by making healthy food choices.

Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, beta-carotene, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids protect against free radical damage that can harm our eyes. We can find these nutrients by consuming colourful fruits and vegetables that will protect our eyes and boost our overall health. We'll take a look at these closely.

Vitamin C is a nutrient critical for maintaining good eye health. Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help decrease the risk of age-related eye disease. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C for adult women is 75 milligrams per day and 90 milligrams per day for men. Raw red peppers have 95 milligrams of vitamin C per half cup. Other great food sources include orange juice, grapefruit juice, papayas, and strawberries. Vitamin C is heat sensitive and breaks down during cooking. Maximise your intake of vitamin C by eating fruits and veggies that contain these nutrients raw.

Vitamin E is another antioxidant vitamin that is critical to eye health. Vitamin E is actually comprised of eight fat-soluble antioxidants called tocopherols. These nutrients help protect fats that make up cell membranes. The retina of the eye is rich in fatty acids, so antioxidant protection is critical for the eyes. The RDA for vitamin E is 15 milligrams per day for men and women. One-quarter cup of sunflower seeds contains 12 milligrams of vitamin E and almonds, peanuts, and peanut butter are also good sources of vitamin E.

Dark leafy greens like collard greens, kale, and spinach are rich in vitamins C and E. They also have carotenoids called zeaxanthin and lutein. These are nutrients that help protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Broccoli, sweet corn, and romaine lettuce are good sources of these nutrients, too. These foods aren't just good for your eyes, but they help prevent other health problems, too.

DHA and EPA are beneficial fats known as omega-3 fatty acids. These fats combat inflammation and boost the health of blood vessels. They reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Insufficient levels of these fats may contribute to dry eyes. Herring, salmon, and sardines provide ample amounts of DHA and EPA. Adequate omega-3 fatty acid intake is part of maintaining good nutrition.

Zinc is a mineral critical for the function of many enzymes in the body. You also need it to maintain healthy eyesight. Zinc functions as an antioxidant, boosts immune function, and is a constituent of cell membranes and proteins in the body. The RDA for zinc is eight milligrams per day for women and 11 milligrams per day for men. People who eat vegetarian diets absorb less zinc than those who eat meat. Three medium cooked oysters provide nearly 25 milligrams of zinc. Crabs, dark turkey, and dark chicken are other good sources of the important mineral. Zinc deficiency is associated with vision problems, immune system problems, skin problems, and psychological disorders.

Animal products are high in zinc, but plant-based foods also supply this mineral. Beans and legumes are high in fiber, low in fat, and are great sources of vegetarian protein. They also supply zinc. Other good vegetarian dietary sources of zinc include yogurt, milk, corn flakes, cheese, cereal, cashews, and almonds. Eggs also contain zinc, which helps your body use lutein and zeaxanthin which are critical for maintaining good eye health.

Broccoli and Brussels sprouts contain beneficial nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and vitamins A, C, and E. These are nutrients that act as antioxidants. They scavenge free radicals, unstable molecules that can attack and damage healthy tissue. Retinal tissue is especially susceptible to free radical damage. It is important to eat foods rich in nutrients to protect eye health.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin the body needs to absorb calcium, support bone growth, and modulate immune function and inflammation. There is some evidence that vitamin D also decreases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Fatty fish like swordfish, tuna, and salmon contain vitamin D. Cod liver oil contains more. Smaller amounts of the vitamin are found in milk, beef liver, eggs, and cheese. Adult men and women need 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day. By far the best source of vitamin D is the sun. Your skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Just be careful not to get burned.

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Eye Health: Foods, vitamins and nutrients to improve eyesight | Health & Nutrition - Mag The Weekly Magazine

Bone marrow is soft, spongy tissue within some bones, including those in the hips and thighs. People with certain blood-related conditions benefit from a transplant that replaces damaged cells with healthy cells, possibly from a donor.

Bone marrow transplants can be lifesaving for people with conditions such as lymphoma or leukemia, or when intensive cancer treatment has damaged blood cells.

This type of transplant can be an intensive procedure, and recovery can take a long time.

Here, we provide an overview of bone marrow transplants, including their uses, risks, and recovery.

Bone marrow contains stem cells. In healthy people, stem cells in bone marrow help create:

If a medical condition such as one that damages the blood or immune system prevents the body from creating healthy blood cells, a person may need a bone marrow transplant.

A person with any of the following conditions may be a candidate for a bone marrow transplant:

There are three types of bone marrow transplant, based on where the healthy bone marrow cells come from.

In many cases, the donor is a close family member, such as a sibling or parent. The medical name for this is an allogenic transplant.

Transplants are more likely to be effective if the donated stem cells have a similar genetic makeup to the person's own stem cells.

If a close family member is not available, the doctor will search a registry of donors to find the closest match. While an exact match is best, advances in transplant procedures are making it possible to use donors who are not an exact match.

In a procedure called an autologous transplant, the doctor will take healthy blood stem cells from the person being treated and replace these cells later, after removing any damaged cells in the sample.

In an umbilical cord transplant, also called a cord transplant, doctors use immature stem cells from the umbilical cord following a baby's birth. Unlike cells from an adult donor, the cells from an umbilical cord do not need to be as close a genetic match.

Before a bone marrow transplant, the doctor will run tests to determine the best type of procedure. They will then locate an appropriate donor, if necessary.

If they can use the person's own cells, they will collect the cells in advance and store them safely in a freezer until the transplant.

The person will then undergo other treatment, which may involve chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of the two.

These procedures typically destroy bone marrow cells as well as cancer cells. Chemotherapy and radiation also suppress the immune system, helping to prevent it from rejecting a bone marrow transplant.

While preparing for the transplant, the person may need to stay in the hospital for 12 weeks. During this time, a healthcare professional will insert a small tube into one of the person's larger veins.

Through the tube, the person will receive medication that destroys any abnormal stem cells and weakens the immune system to prevent it from rejecting the healthy transplanted cells.

Before entering the hospital, it is a good idea to arrange:

A bone marrow transplant is not surgery. It is similar to a blood transfusion.

If a donor is involved, they will provide the stem cells well in advance of the procedure. If the transplant involves the person's own cells, the healthcare facility will keep the cells in storage.

The transplant typically takes place in several sessions over several days. Staggering the introduction of cells in this way gives them the best chance of integrating with the body.

The healthcare team may also use the tube to introduce liquids such as blood, nutrients, and medications to help fight infection or encourage the growth of bone marrow. The combination depends on the body's response to treatment.

The procedure will temporarily compromise the person's immune system, making them very susceptible to infection. Most hospitals have a dedicated, isolated space for people undergoing bone marrow transplants to help reduce their risk of infection.

After the last session, the doctor will continue to check the blood each day to determine how well the transplant has worked. They will test whether new cells are beginning to grow in bone marrow.

If a person's white blood cell count starts to rise, it indicates that the body is starting to create its own blood, indicating that the transplant has been successful.

The amount of time that it takes for the body to recover depends on:

Many other factors can affect recovery, including:

Some people are able to leave the hospital soon after the transplant, while others need to stay for several weeks or months.

The medical team will continue to monitor the person's recovery for up to 1 year. Some people find that effects of the transplant remain for life.

A bone marrow transplant is a major medical procedure. There is a high risk of complications during and after it.

The likelihood of developing complications depends on various factors, including:

Below are some of the more common complications that people who receive bone marrow transplants experience:

Some people die as a result of complications from bone marrow transplants.

A person who receives a bone marrow transplant may also experience reactions that can follow any medical procedure, including:

The body's response to a bone marrow transplant varies greatly from person to person. Factors such as age, overall health, and the reason for the transplant can all affect a person's long term outlook.

If a person receives a bone marrow transplant to treat cancer, their outlook depends, in part, on how far the cancer has spread. Cancer that has spread far from its origin, for example, responds less well to treatment.

According to the National Marrow Donor Program, the 1-year survival rate among people who have received transplants from unrelated donors increased from 42% to 60% over about the past 5 years.

A bone marrow transplant is a major medical procedure that requires preparation. This involves determining the best type of transplant, finding a donor, if necessary, and preparing for a lengthy hospital stay.

The time that it takes for the body to recover from a transplant varies, depending on factors such as a person's age and overall health and the reason for the transplant.

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Bone marrow transplant: What it is, uses, risks, and recovery - Medical News Today

On the morning of April 25, 2018, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Omarion Jordan came into the world ten-fingers-and-toes perfect. His mother, Kristin Simpson, brought her dark-haired newborn home to a mostly empty apartment in Kendallville, about 30 miles to the north. Shed just moved in and hadnt had time to decorate. Her son, however, had everything he needed: a nursery full of toys, a crib, a bassinet and a blue octopus blanket.

Still, within his first couple of months, he was plagued by three different infections that required intravenous treatments. Doctors thought he had eczema and cradle cap. They said he was allergic to his mothers milk and told her to stop breastfeeding. Then, not long after he received a round of standard infant vaccinations, his scalp was bleeding and covered with green goop, recalled the first-time mother, who was then in her late teens. She took him to the hospital emergency room, where, again, caregivers seemed puzzled by the babys bizarre symptoms, which didnt make any sense until physicians, finally, ordered the right blood test.

What they learned was that Omarion was born with a rare genetic disorder called X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), better known as the bubble boy disease. Caused by a mutated gene on the X chromosome, and almost always limited to males, a baby born with X-linked SCID, or SCID-X1, lacks a working immune system (hence the unusual reaction to vaccination). The bubble boy name is a reference to David Vetter, a Texas child born with SCID-X1 in 1971, who lived in a plastic bubble and ventured out in a NASA-designed suit. He died at 12, but his highly publicized life inspired a 1976 TV movie starring John Travolta.

Today, technological advances in hospitals provide a kind of bubble, protecting SCID-X1 patients with controlled circulation of filtered air. Such safeguards are necessary because a patient exposed to even the most innocuous germs can acquire infections that turn deadly. As soon as Omarion tested positive for the disorder, an ambulance carried him to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital in nearby Ohio and placed him in isolation, where he remained for the next few months. I had no idea what would happen to him, his mother recalled.

Approximately one in 40,000 to 100,000 infants is born with SCID, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only about 20 to 50 new cases of the SCID-X1 mutationwhich accounts for about half of all SCID casesappear in the United States each year. For years, the best treatments for SCID-X1 have been bone marrow or blood stem cell transplantations from a matched sibling donor. But fewer than 20 percent of patients have had this option. And Omarion, an only child, was not among them.

As it happened, medical scientists at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, were then developing a bold new procedure. The strategy: introduce a normal copy of the faulty gene, designated IL2RG, into a patients own stem cells, which then go on to produce the immune system components needed to fight infection. Simpson enrolled Omarion in the clinical study and Cincinnati Childrens Hospital arranged a private jet to transport her and her son to the research hospital, where they stayed for five months.

St. Jude wasnt the first to try gene therapy for SCID-X1. Nearly 20 years ago, researchers in France reported successfully reconditioning immune systems in SCID-X1 patients using a particular virus to deliver the correct gene to cells. But when a quarter of the patients in that study developed leukemia, because the modified virus also disrupted the functioning of normal genes, the study was halted and scientists interested in gene therapy for the disorder hit the brakes.

At St. Jude, experts led by the late Brian Sorrentino, a hematologist and gene therapy researcher, set out to engineer a virus delivery vehicle that wouldnt have side effects. They started with a modified HIV vector emptied of the virus and its original contents, and filled it with a normal copy of the IL2RG gene. They engineered this vector to include insulators to prevent the vector from disturbing other genes once it integrated into the human genome. The goal was to insert the gene into stem cells that had come from the patients own bone marrow, and those cells would then go on to produce working immune system cells. It was crucial for the viral vector to not deliver the gene to other kinds of cellsand thats what the researchers observed. After gene therapy, for example, brain cells do not have a correct copy of the gene, explained Stephen Gottschalk, who chairs St. Judes Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.

In the experimental treatment, infants received their re-engineered stem cells just 12 days after some of their bone marrow was obtained. They went through a two-day, low-dose course of chemotherapy, which made room for the engineered cells to grow. Within four months, some of the babies were able to fight infections on their own. All eight of the initial research subjects left the hospital with a healthy immune system. The remarkably positive results made news headlines after being published this past April in the New England Journal of Medicine. Experimental gene therapy frees bubble boy babies from life of isolation, the journal Nature trumpeted.

So far, the children who participated in that study are thriving, and so are several other babies who received the treatmentincluding Omarion. As a physician and a mom, I couldnt ask for anything better, said Ewelina Mamcarz, lead author of the journal article and first-time mother to a toddler nearly the same age as Omarion. The children in the study are now playing outside and attending day care, reaching milestones just like my daughter, Mamcarz says. Theyre no different. Mamcarz, who is from Poland, came to the United States to train as a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and joined St. Jude six years ago.

Other medical centers are pursuing the treatment. The University of California, San Francisco Benioff Childrens Hospital is currently treating infant patients, and Seattle Childrens Hospital is poised to do the same. Moreover, the National Institutes of Health has seen success in applying the gene therapy to older patients, ages 3 to 37. Those participants had previously received bone marrow transplants from partially matched donors, but theyd been living with complications.

In the highly technical world of medicine today, it takes teamwork to achieve a breakthrough, and as many as 150 peoplephysicians, nurses, regulators, researchers, transplant coordinators and othersplayed a role in this one.

Sorrentino died in November 2018, but hed lived long enough to celebrate the trial results. In the early 90s, we thought gene therapy would revolutionize medicine, but it was kind of too early, said Gottschalk, who began his career in Germany. Now, nearly 30 years later, we understand the technology better, and its really starting to have a great impact. We can now develop very precise medicine, with very limited side effects. Gottschalk, who arrived at St. Jude a month before Sorrentinos diagnosis, now oversees the hospitals SCID-X1 research. Its very, very gratifying to be involved, he said.

For now the SCID-X1 gene therapy remains experimental. But with additional trials and continued monitoring of patients, St. Jude hopes that the therapy will earn Food and Drug Administration approval as a treatment within five years.

Simpson, for her part, is already convinced that the therapy can work wonders: Her son doesnt live in a bubble or, for that matter, in a hospital. He can play barefoot in the dirt with other kids, whatever he wants, because his immune system is normal like any other kid, she said. I wish there were better words than thank you.

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These Scientists May Have Found a Cure for 'Bubble Boy' Disease - Smithsonian.com

Nes Ziona, Israel, Nov. 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enlivex Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: ENLV), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company, today reported completion of patient recruitment into the Companys Phase Ib clinical trial in patients with severe sepsis. The study was designed to recruit ten patients, including six treated with a single dose of Allocetra, and four patients treated with two doses of Allocetra.

Enlivex announced on November 4, 2019 positive interim safety and efficacy data from an ongoing trial of off-the-shelf universal Allocetra in patients with severe sepsis. The interim analysis comparing the first six Allocetra-treated patients with 37 severe sepsis patients with equivalent source of infection and disease severity who were hospitalized at the same hospital, demonstrated the potential of single dose Allocetra infusion as therapy for prevention of sepsis-associated organ failure and mortality.

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated immune response to infection. Sepsis has been identified by the World Health Organization as a global health priority and currently has no FDA-approved pharmacologic treatment. Sepsis is the third leading cause of mortality in the United States after cardiovascular and cancer diseases and affects approximately 1.7 million adults in the United States each year. Various studies have estimated that up to 50% of severe sepsis hospitalizations culminate in death.

ALLOCETRATMby Enlivex was designed toprovide a novel immunotherapy mechanism of actionthat targets life-threatening clinical indications that are defined as unmet medical needs, includingprevention or treatment of complications associated with bone marrow transplantations (BMT) and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT); organ dysfunction and acute multiple organ failure associated with sepsis; and enablement of an effective treatment of solid tumors via immune checkpoint rebalancing.

ABOUT ENLIVEXEnlivex is a clinical stage immunotherapy company, developing an allogeneic drug pipeline for immune system rebalancing. Immune system rebalancing is critical for the treatment of life-threatening immune and inflammatory conditions which involve hyper-expression of cytokines (Cytokine Release Syndrome) and for which there are no approved treatments (unmet medical needs), as well as solid tumors immune-checkpoint rebalancing. For more information, visithttp://www.enlivex.com.Safe Harbor Statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as expects, plans, projects, will, may, anticipates, believes, should, would, could, intends, estimates, suggests, has the potential to and other words of similar meaning, including statements regarding expected cash balances, market opportunities for the results of current clinical studies and preclinical experiments, the effectiveness of, and market opportunities for, ALLOCETRATMprograms. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Enlivexs business and prospects, including the risks that Enlivex may not succeed in generating any revenues or developing any commercial products; that the products in development may fail, may not achieve the expected results or effectiveness and/or may not generate data that would support the approval or marketing of these products for the indications being studied or for other indications; that ongoing studies may not continue to show substantial or any activity; and other risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The results of clinical trials in humans may produce results that differ significantly from the results of clinical and other trials in animals. The results of early-stage trials may differ significantly from the results of more developed, later-stage trials. The development of any products using the ALLOCETRATMproduct line could also be affected by a number of other factors, including unexpected safety, efficacy or manufacturing issues, additional time requirements for data analyses and decision making, the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation, the impact of competitive products and pricing and the impact of patents and other proprietary rights held by competitors and other third parties. In addition to the risk factors described above, investors should consider the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors discussed in Enlivexs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Companys most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable law.

ENLIVEX CONTACT: Shachar Shlosberger, CFO Enlivex Therapeutics, Ltd. shachar@enlivexpharm.com

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Enlivex Therapeutics Completes Recruitment In Phase Ib Trial Evaluating Safety And Efficacy Of Universal Off-The-Shelf Allocetra In Patients With...