Spinal Cord Society

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WHAT IS SPINAL CORD SOCIETY?

Statement of Purpose
SCS is a large grass roots organization linked by a monthly Newsletter, and thousands of members throughout North America and other countries. Its goal is cure of chronic spinal cord injury paralysis. SCS is an organization of the spinal cord injured, their families and friends, and dedicated scientists and physicians who are aiming at the ultimate goal of cure through improved treatment and research.

History and Description:

* Founded in November 1978
* The Society was formed because of dissatisfaction with the direction and priorities in spinal cord treatment and research.
* SCS raises funds for goal-directed cure research, performs public awareness and publishes a monthly Newsletter.
* SCS has pioneered: 1 - Citizen advocacy in SCI, 2 - Electrically induced CNS regeneration, 3 - Cure research and treatment centers, 4 - Computerized walking (FES), 5 - Civilian research conferences, 6 - Artificial bone substitutes, 7 - Autologous cell transplants (transplants to the cord of cells cultured from the patients own body), 8 - Scar disruption, 9 - Growth inhibitor controls, 10 - Regeneration research, and 11 - New neurons

Strategy for Cure
Under normal conditions the adult mammalian spinal cord does not, after injury, heal itself to the previous level of function. The spinal cord is very complex so that a cure will require a combination ofprocedures. Therefore, we have zeroed in on several key areas.

Regeneration from remaining nerve cells

Replacement of nerve cells via transplants and genetically engineered new neurons.

Restoration of function via exercise, remyelination, growth factors, growth inhibitor controls, and scar disruption.

Delivery systems designed to deliver treatments to specific injury sites to avoid side effects.

Maintenance

Treatments have included:

1 - Computerized function for both walking and hand controls.
2 - Bone substitutes.
3 - Diagnostics.
4 - Non-surgical sphincterotomies.
5 - Patterned Electrical Stimulation.
6 - Electric fields.
7 - Sexual function and fertility.
8 - Beta-agonist muscle builders.
9 - Portable extremity pumps for edema control.
10 - UTI prevention.
11 - Pain elimination.

Why Is This Work Important?
Vehicle, sport, and other injuries to the spine paralyze thousands of people each year. Their average age at injury is 19. Millions around the world are now condemned to life in a wheelchair and a continuous succession of medical traumas just to stay alive. Despite a media-popularized image, paralysis is not "romantic" or "fun". And, it can happen to anyone, anytime.
But , all this is only the tip of a very large iceberg. Personal medical expenses over a lifetime are devastating - often well in excess of a million dollars. Cost to the nation exceeds 10 billion dollars per year. Further, cure of spinal cord paralysis may also hold keys to more progress for millions of others with related afflictions - Strokes, MS, Spina Bifida, Head Injury and Palsy. Government statistics show 1/6 of the populations in industrialized nations now suffer from some type of severe neural disorder. Between 300,000 and 500,000 Americans alone are severely spinal cord injured.

Human Trials
SCS is in the process of determining how well our work will perform on human cells. Once refunction and regeneration results get up to around 40%, we expect to begin human trials. That day is not far off.

Join SCS In A Program For Cure
You Can Write Us Or Send Your Tax Deductible Donations To:
Spinal Cord Society 19051 County Highway 1 Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56537-7609
Or You Can Call Us At:
Phone: 218-739-5252 or 218-739-5261 Fax: 218-739-5262
Call Us For The Location Of A Chapter Near You

Become a member of SCS - Click here for an SCS Membership Application Form

SCS has a Data and Referral System - Click here to find out