Press-Republican

Local News

July 1, 2008

Local man completes stem-cell therapy

'If it were not for the community and the funding that was raised I don't know if we would have been able to do it'

PLATTSBURGH -- For Randy and Kate Duprey, being in North Carolina for 130 days was difficult but worthwhile.

Randy suffers from systematic scleroderma, a disease that affects the organs of the body and hardens the skin.

The Dupreys and their young son, Alek, went to Duke University so Randy could undergo research-based stem-cell therapy to try to help his condition.

"Being away from our family as we were, when we needed them at the time, was challenging for me," Kate said.

"But we have our own family' down there. The one thing that you don't realize is how many sick people there are until you are in that atmosphere."

Randy said the university surely lived up to its quality reputation.

"It was an amazing team of doctors that I was working with. The treatment is by far the best that I've ever seen. They had good bedside manners. They know what you are going through enough, and they try to make you as comfortable as possible."

He had a transplant from his brother, Kevin, to help fight the disease. The procedure went very smoothly.

The family now has to travel to Duke every other month for a year for checkups.

Kate said the support that they received from friends and family from the North Country was phenomenal.

"If it were not for the community and the funding that was raised while we were down there, I don't know if we would have been able to do it."

She said the experience also taught them an important lesson.

"We just realized that the simple things in life are worth more than sweating the little things."

Text Only | Photo Reprints
New Today
  • City fire call

    Smoke in the basement at 11 Lorraine St. in Plattsburgh likely a dryer fire.

    Updated: 2 hours
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix