Spinal Cord injury victims the World over dream of the day they can push their wheelchairs to one side and reclaim their lives. Government has not adequately invested in this area, meaning that funding thus far has mainly derived from charitable organisations and the injured community. Walkoncemore will help to fund the most significant advances in this fight against chronic paralysis, helping these advances to get to human clinical trials. The cure is in our midst and with increased funding, will become a near-term reality.




The Science bit

When a spinal cord is injured, it fails to regenerate and heal itself. The main barrier to this regeneration is overcoming the environment of the injured cord, which inhibits the regrowth and remyelination of nerve fibres called axons, as well as their ability to extend beyond the lesion site. Neurons and support cells to the nervous system (called Glia) are also lost due to the initial trauma. But the damage doesn't end there. It is thought that secondary damage will also occur due to the toxic inflammation at the site. This means further Glia and neuron loss. Added to the inability of the axons to reconnect, the result for the unlucky individual is a lifetime of severe disability.

What is needed is the regeneration and remyelination of axons within the cord and in some cases, neuron replacement. This will depend on the area and severity of the injury. Regeneration is simply regrowth whilst remyelination is the coating of existing axons in myelin, a fatty insulator, to help the nerve impulses travel.

The approaches

A number of therapies that successfully support the regeneration of axons and neurons have been shown in animal models. We now know that only around 10% of the total axons need to be regenerated to support substantial functional recovery. This now needs to be translated to humans. Stem cell research is key in the repair of this damage alongside other approaches including proteins and growth factors for nerve regeneration.

Stem cell research

There are different types of stem cells including neural, bone marrow (adult stem cells), umbilical cord blood and embryonic. There have been many press releases about how adult stem cells have cured a variety of ills, including spinal cord injury. This is simply not true and research must continue on ALL cell types

Currently, embryonic stem cells hold the most promise as they can be differentiated into any cell type within the body. The media misrepresentation surrounding these cells has resulted in an association of them with 'the killing of human life' The embryonic stem cell research that Walkoncemore supports involves the use of 5-7 day old clumps of cells called blastocysts. These cells are derived from IVF clinic 'leftovers' that would otherwise be destined for waste disposal. They were never destined to be implanted in a female womb and never destined to develop into a baby. In the United States alone, nearly 400,000 of these blastocysts are destroyed yearly.These discarded cells can be utilised for life saving research instead.

With your help we can get there

A cure for spinal cord injury is attainable. It will ease endless pain and suffering World-Wide for millions of injured individuals, and their families. The cost of lifelong care and support for victims runs into billions. It will enable needlessly unemployed people to support themselves once again and contribute to Society. It will foster independence and the ability to live once again rather than just 'exist.' It will make the World a better place for us and for future generations. We need your help, just click here to offer your support or alternatively, contact us.