Billy Tytaneck, 25, is the first Canadian to receive an adult stem-cell transplant to treat Crohn's disease.
Tytaneck had suffered from the painful bowel disorder for more than 12 years before learning about a procedure being used in the U.S. A doctor at Ottawa Hospital agreed to perform the transplant, which involves wiping out the immune system and injecting the patient's own stem cells to build a new immune system.
While it can take nearly a year for the immune system to fully regenerate, Tytaneck's symptoms have diminished considerably just five months after the transplant.
"With this apparently successful adult stem-cell transplant, Billy Tytaneck joins a growing group of patients who owe their recovery to adult stem-cell research," said Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "Tytaneck's story reflects the benefits to patients that come when science follows this path of research for healing disease and treating injuries. Adult stem-cell research is a win-win for everyone."
