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July 13, 2008

Stem Cell Heart Surgery: An emerging heart damage treatment

By KIM SMITH DEDAM

The defibrillator in Brock Marvin's chest will reset an irregular heartbeat, but the Marvins are looking for long-term solutions, which involve stem-cell regeneration surgery to build new heart tissue.

"This heart condition doesn't get better with age," Smitty said. "It can improve with medicine. In the next six to 12 months, the less work Brock's heart has to do, the better he can feel."

But a recent checkup showed Brock's heart isn't responding as well as they hoped to the medications he takes.

Breakthrough surgery transplanting stem cells from elsewhere in Brock's own body offers new hope.

Stem cells are a kind of repair cell for the body that can replenish damaged tissues, according to emerging procedures at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital.

Several other programs around the country have begun to treat heart disease with stem cells, including federally approved test programs at 20 research hospitals.

The Marvins are looking to schedule surgery in the next few weeks, but the procedure costs $60,000 and is not covered by health insurance.

To raise funds, the Lussi family at Crowne Plaza Resort and the Lake Placid Club has opened their golf courses for the Brock Marvin Benefit Tournament to be held Aug. 22.

An 8 a.m. start is planned for a four-man scramble at $75 per golfer on the historic 18-hole course.

To register for the benefit game, contact Philip Arsenault at 873-6727, or by e-mail at: philiparsenault@yahoo.com. The Web site is www.brockssave.9K.com.

Sponsorship for greens or tees at $100 or $200 or more can be purchased, and donations sent to Brock Marvin Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 397, Elizabethtown, NY 12932.

For more information or for other ideas how to help, contact Margo Roemischer at 572-4963.

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