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CSRO
MAGAZINE BACK ISSUES
I am very pleased to announce that Mr. Barry Munro is now the President
of the Canadian Spinal Research Organization. Barry is very well qualified
to fill this important position. He has a B.A. in Political Science and
a law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. Barry has been quadriplegic
since 1987 and has dedicated himself to this organization since that time.
I asked Barry to take on the responsibilities and duties of President and
he has accepted.
I will now concentrate more fully on the research aspect of CSRO-the main
reason for our existence. My new position will be Director of Research.
I've been involved in this area since 1984 and there has been an enormous
increase in spinal cord injury research. Each month seems to bring a new
advancement in understanding how to address the issue of reversing paralysis.
I look forward to putting more of my efforts into this exciting field.
CSRO has updated our website (www.csro.com). We look forward to your comments
and suggestions about the site. I would also like to remind you about our
e-bay auction website. This is our second year of auctioning items like
autographed photos, hockey sticks and sweaters. The NHL players have been
very committed to our cause and we appreciate their help. So, if you want
to give someone a present for a special occasion or just want some memorabilia
for yourself, please bid on an item (www.shootforacure.org). You get a
great NHL item and assist CSRO in our fundraising drive.
On a more personal note, we lost one of our most dedicated volunteers a
short while ago. Ralph Spadafore passed away in July of 2001. Ralph was
a quadriplegic who dedicated his total efforts to CSRO. He was a tireless
individual who raised around $750,000 for research towards a cure for paralysis.
These funds came from holding events such as sports tournaments and conducting
bingos. I want to point this out because Ralph just went out and did it.
He knew that raising funds here and there would all add up, and it did.
If I could bottle what Ralph had, we would be much further along than we
are now.
In honour of Ralph we have introduced the Ralph Spadafore Volunteer of
the Year award. Please read the article in the magazine to see who were
this year's recipients. We all miss Ralph and will remember him fondly.
Ray Wickson, President, Canadian Spinal Research Organization
The Canadian Spinal Research Organization is dedicated to the improvement
of the physical quality of life for persons with a spinal cord injury and
those with related neurological deficits, through targeted medical and
scientific research. CSRO is also committed to the reduction of the incidence
of spinal cord injuries through awareness programs for the general public
and prevention programs of targeted groups.
CSRO
Research - The Search For A Cure Continues
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In this issue we look at stem cells, enteric neurotransplantation and possible
applications of these methods in the area of spinal cord cure. Our hopes
are that new cell transplantation techniques will find a place in effective
treatments of spinal injury.
Magazines and newspapers today seem full of articles on stem cells. Some
discuss the controversial ethics, some seem to promise eternal youth, yet
others lead the reader to believe that stem cells are about to cure most
diseases known to humans.
Stem cells from embryos Cells in early embryos have
the potential to grow, divide and give rise to many types of
cells, tissues and organs in the body. If embryonic cells are
put into the brain, they can be induced to form, for example,
nerve cells. This approach has been tried in patients with
Parkinson's Disease, with at least temporary success to date.
Stem cells can also be obtained from adults We humans
live for many years. During our lifespan many of our cells
and tissues are replenished with new cells, so it is not surprising
that stem cells have also been found in tissues of adults.
Some of these are limited in the types of cells that they can
form. Others seem to be able to transform from one cell into
another. For example, cells from bone marrow can be made to
form nerve cells. Obtaining cells from bone marrow overcomes
several problems. For example, there is no difficulty with
rejection since the cells can be obtained from the bone marrow
of the same individual into whom the cells are subsequently
transplanted. This approach also overcomes ethical problems.
Finally, removing cells from bone marrow is a relatively easy
procedure.
So, stem cells can be obtained from bone marrow and other tissues of adults.
But how can they be used? In the nervous system, most studies have used
stem cells to make new nerve cells, or to make cells called oligodendroglia.
Oligodendroglia make myelin, which insulates the nerves in the brain and
spinal cord.
Repair of spinal injury To understand how stem cells
can repair injured spinal cord, let's take a look at what happens
after spinal injury.
Most damage happens to the long fibers, which run up and down the length
of the spinal cord. Motor nerve cells are in the brain and run down the
spinal cord to the motor nerve cells. The sensory nerves run from the various
parts of the spinal cord to the brain. Sometimes, spinal injury is incomplete.
In these cases some of the nerve fibers remain intact and recover much,
or all, of their function. Nothing needs to be done about those (Figure1-#1).
Other fibers are damaged, but not destroyed. These lose their myelin insulation
(Figure1 - #2).
In other cases, the nerve fibers are destroyed and end in the area of scar,
which forms at the site of the injury (Figure 1 - #3). The nerve cell processes
cannot regrow through the region of the scar and into the spinal cord because
the remaining myelin inhibits the growth of nerve fibers. When nerve cell
processes are damaged for extended periods of time, the nerve cell bodies
themselves may die.
How might stem cells help with this? Certainly, stem cells can be made
to transform into oligodendroglia, which can make myelin. This type of
stem cell could, potentially, be used to replace the scar tissue at the
site of injury. This might provide a suitable environment to permit damaged
nerve fibers to regenerate through the scar.
By using the potential of stem cells to develop into nerve cells, one could
potentially replace some of the cells which died when their processes were
damaged. It would then be possible to produce and transplant nerve cells.
Nerve regeneration after spinal injury using cells other than stem cells
The important issue in stem cell research is how to promote the outgrowth
of processes from damaged nerves. This outgrowth is inhibited by the remaining
myelin which is the nerve insulation. Transplantation of other types of
cells may overcome this problem.
Many years ago researchers in Montreal showed that the processes of nerve
cells in the central nervous system could regenerate over long distances
through pieces of peripheral nerve. The peripheral nerves, which run outside
the brain and spinal cord, have a different type of cell to insulate them
called a Schwann cell. Schwann cells, when transplanted into spinal cord,
permit regeneration of some nerve processes. However, they secrete substances
which tend to "wall them off", limiting their usefulness. Another type
of cell, called "olfactory ensheathing glia", also enhances the outgrowth
of nerve processes through the spinal cord. These can be obtained from
the front part of the brain.
Another approach is to use the cells which insulate the nerves in the intestine,
known as enteric glia. The Canadian Spinal Research Organization is funding
work in this area.
Enteric glia are relatively easy to obtain. We have developed a method
for purifying them. When transplanted into the spinal cord, they migrate
in the appropriate directions and appear to act as "pathfinders" for the
regenerating nerves. They appear to protect them from the inhibitory effects
of the myelin. We anticipate that this work will enable regeneration of
damaged nerve fibers in the spinal cord over significant distances. Once
these fibers are regenerated, it may be necessary to ensure that they are
covered with oligodendroglia from stem cells. However, the work to determine
if that is necessary is still some time in the future.
Nevertheless, transplantation of cells certainly appears to be a very promising
approach to the treatment of spinal cord injury. Many of the cells which
are to be transplanted can be obtained from the same individuals who suffered
the injury. This makes the transplantation much less likely to be rejected
by the immune system.
Over the next few years more information and important data using cell
transplantation techniques will become available. Hopefully, some of this
will find a place in effective treatments of spinal injury.
What is a Mentor? A mentor is a trusted counsellor or guide who is willing
to be a coach, teacher or leader.
The Canadian Spinal Research Organization believes that the more spinal
cord injured (SCI) people who become integrated into the working community
through employment, the greater the awareness and appreciation of their
abilities and attributes. For this reason CSRO has started an Employment
Mentoring Program at the Head Office in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
We welcome Spinal Cord Injured persons into the office so they can start
re-accessing society in an employment like setting. Through their experiences,
volunteers have been gaining self-assurance in the workplace and realizing
that they have extreme potential. With our Mentor Program, consumers learn
to take on the responsibility of committing to spending time in the office.
The consumer's attendance in the CSRO office allows them the chance to
learn computer skills, communication skills and build a confidence level
that may help them in securing employment in the private work force.
The benefits of the Employment Mentoring Program become clear when speaking
to those involved in the program. John, who has been helping in the office
for several months after being out of the workforce for over 15 years,
sums up his experience…
"The Mentoring Program has helped me a lot. The staff at CSRO is friendly and
helpful. It feels very satisfying to be giving something back to my community
after so many years. My confidence level has increased so that now I feel much
better about myself."
CSRO is equally as pleased with John as he is about the program. "John
has turned out to be a real gem" was a comment made just last week by one
of the staff. It has turned into an exciting time at the Head Office as
volunteers are expanding their horizons. Help yourself…get involved!
If you are…
- A spinal cord injured person (SCI)
- A resident of Ontario, Canada (Newmarket, Aurora,
Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville,
East Gwillimbury, King)
- Interested in seeking employment
- Willing to make a difference
Please contact Charles Warriner Toll Free at 1-800-361-4004.
Volunteer! Expand your horizons! Enrich your skills! Contribute to your
community! Realize your potential!
Once again, these great events were held on our behalf and each one was
a huge success! Our thanks go out to all of the members, volunteers and
participants who made them so memorable!
Sandra Burton Golf Tournament - Friday, July 6, 2001
was another beautiful day to hold the 10th annual Sandra Burton
Golf Tournament.
In raising over $13,000 the 144 golfers enjoyed a wonderful day of golf,
food and entertainment, which many commented was the best ever.
Get your entry fee in early so that you don't miss the 11th annual Sandra
Burton Golf Tournament to be held at the Cardinal Golf Club in Newmarket,
Ontario, on Friday, July 5, 2002.
Spinal Tap Mixed Bonspiel - This year marked the 10th
anniversary of the Spinal Tap Mixed Curling Bonspiel which
was held on March 3, 2001 at the Thornhill Country Club.
The event raised over $11,000 for spinal research and was great day of
curling with curlers ranging from first timers to an Olympic medallist.
The 11th annual Bonspiel is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2002, and
at $260 per team for event registration you're assured to have great time!
To get involved, please contact Ryan Durham at 905-887-9402 or email at
ryandurham@rogers.com to get your team registered, donate a gift for the
prize table or inquire about sponsorship opportunities.
Chris Beehler Golf Tournament - The CSRO was again a
proud recipient of $17,000 from the Chris Beehler Golf Tournament.
The 7th Annual golf tournament took place on Wednesday, August 15, in Kingston,
Ontario. Over $23,000 was raised this year and we have already started
to book up spots for the 8th tournament.
CSRO Golf Tournament - The CSRO was proud to hold the
5th Annual CSRO Golf Tournament and Silent Auction on Thursday,
August 2 at Woodington Lake Golf Club in Tottenham, Ontario.
The event raised in excess of $26,000 and was a huge success, with the
participants enjoying a magnificent day of golf on the challenging course.
Volunteer Recognition Awards Night - The CSRO hosted
and recognized several of its key volunteers on November 20,
2001. We were fortunate to have Dr. Michel Rathbone speak to
the organization about his work at McMaster University with
Enteric Neurotransplantation. Over 35 volunteers showed up
and enjoyed an evening of discussion, and our volunteers were
then awarded with Certificates of Appreciation for the great
work that they do in helping us raise funds for research.
The highlight of the evening was the inaugural presentation of the Ralph
Spadafore Memorial Volunteer Recognition Award. This year's recipients
were Ed and Heather Durham of Thornhill, Ontario, who for over a decade
have volunteered in working with fundraisers such as the Annual Bonspiel
and helping out within our head office. Ed and Heather Durham's son, Ryan,
is a quadriplegic.
The other recipient of the award was Alda Webster, a paraplegic since the
age of five. Alda has worked for over a decade, originally with the Brampton,
Ontario Chapter, and now as President of the Peterborough, Ontario Chapter.
Alda is responsible for raising over $100,000 in funds between bingo and
other events over the years. We were fortunate to have the family members
of the late Ralph Spadafore attend and make the presentation to the recipients
this year.
Elvis Rocks Event - On May 5, 2001, the CSRO partnered
with two other very worthy organizations-the Richmond Hill
Mobility Accessibility Foundation and the Elvis Stojko Bursary-to
put together the Mayor's Gala Celebration of Figure Skating.
The event was sponsored by Rogers and held in Richmond Hill,
Ontario, home of our head office.
That event raised over $6,000 for the CSRO, which featured Elvis Stojko
and many other local and nationally ranked figure skaters. Elvis contributed
his time and once again put on a great show.
More recently, Elvis won his seventh Canadian Figure Skating title on January
12, 2001 in Hamilton, Ontario. Congratulations Elvis! We'll see you on
the podium at the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah!
"It is up to us to get it done, and the only way we're going to do it is by raising
money. It's as simple as that…"
The following memorial was written by Barry Munro. In July of 2001, the
Canadian Spinal Research Organization (CSRO) lost a friend. Ralph Spadafore,
of Ajax, Ontario, a long-time chapter president for the Ajax Chapter, as
well as one of the earliest members of the CSRO, passed away after a lengthy
illness.
Ralph had a spinal cord injury in 1984 rendering him a C-6 Quadriplegic.
Before and after his injury, Ralph was active in his community. Ralph became
one of the original members of the CSRO. When it came to the issue of funding
research for a cure for paralysis, Ralph lived by the credo: "It is up
to us to get it done, and the only way we're going to do it is by raising
money. It's as simple as that."
With those words, I saw in Ralph someone who put his words into practice.
For over a dozen years, Ralph had been a volunteer that had spent most
of his spare time raising money for spinal cord research and helping other
disabled consumers in the Ajax and Oshawa area. By holding events, and
working many bingos, Ralph and his team raised close to $750,000 over the
past decade.
When I met Ralph for the first time, I saw in him strength and endurance
and knew that there was a chance that one day we would find a cure for
paralysis, because people like Ralph were out there working for it. Everybody
that knew Ralph considered him a friend. Ralph was a true Canadian hero,
giving so much of his time to help people now and in the future by raising
money to fund research.
The spirit of Ralph lives on and the Board of Directors of the CSRO has
unanimously agreed to create an award in Ralph's name, "The Ralph Spadafore
Memorial Volunteer Recognition Award". This award will be presented to
individuals who exemplify strength, endurance and dedication to the cause
that Ralph Spadafore and other spinal cord injured consumers believed in.
Although Ralph has left us, his spirit will always be with us as we move
forward and finish the job that he started.
I had the opportunity to attend Ralph's funeral, and hear a poem that Ralph's
niece had written in memory of him. I thought the poem captured the essence
of Ralph and thought it was important that we printed the poem so that
all readers would understand who Ralph Spadafore was.
Good-Bye My Friend
There is a story that must be told,
About a man on four wheels,
With a heart made of gold.
Ralph gave to others all of his life,
Helping me through times of strife,
And now his life has come to an end,
Good-bye, my dear and departed friend.
Thank-you Ralph for all that you have done,
The years of laughter, Joy, Friendship and fun,
We are sad because we are left behind,
But we also know the joy you will find.
So, be as happy as you can be,
Good-bye, my Friend, I love you; Fly free.
For you will live on, in our memory.
In loving memory by: Laura Zutell
Shoot
For A Cure - Former Flame Sparks Neck Injury Campaign
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Almost every week during the regular hockey season a player suffers a serious
spinal injury. Shoot For A Cure, an initiative of the CSRO, raises money
for spinal cord research, promotes safe hockey and raises awareness of
neck injuries in hockey.
Steve Smith is no longer a Calgary Flame and no longer playing hockey,
but he left a legacy that several of his former teammates are carrying
on.
Smith, the rugged defenceman, retired last season as the Flames captain
after suffering a neck injury that left him with numbness in his left arm
and hand. It was a freak collision with a teammate in front of the Calgary
net in January 2000 that left Smith motionless on the ice for what seemed
an eternity.
"For the first time in my life I can honestly say I was a afraid," Smith said. "It
is something that is logged into the back of my mind and it will never go away." He
spent most of the rest of the season recovering from the injury and was forced
to retire on December 7, 2000.
Since the injury he has hooked up with a number of National Hockey League
players to help raise awareness of neck injuries and raise crucial money
for spinal cord research. Shortly after Smith was injured Kurt Gengenbach,
himself confined to a wheelchair following a hockey accident in 1989, paid
a visit to the Calgary Flames to speak about Shoot For A Cure, an initiative
of the Canadian Spinal Research Organization to raise money for spinal
cord research, promote safe hockey and increase awareness of neck injuries
in hockey.
For Jarome Iginla, getting on board with the program was an easy decision.
He had seen what happened to Smith, and had a developed a friendship with
Aaron Moser, a young man paralyzed during a junior hockey game, following
one of the team's visits to a Calgary hospital. "When you see that, it
hits home. Their injuries are hockey related. You realize that every day
you are fortunate to be out there. You just never know what is going to
happen," said Iginla.
Others on the Flames also joined the program - Clarke Wilm, Dwayne Hay
and the recently traded Jeff Cowan are among a number of NHL players donating
time and money to the program. Defenceman Bob Boughner, a free agent signing
with Calgary in summer, was on board from the beginning. "It obviously
hit home with the guys with Steve being the captain," said Boughner.
Research, which is conducted at universities in Canada under the supervision
of the Canadian Spinal Research Organization and in the United States under
the supervision of the American Spinal Research Organization, is costly.
The program has hooked up with eBay Canada where items donated by players
are auctioned. Last year Boughner, who was playing in Pittsburgh, was able
to donate a couple of signed Mario Lemieux jerseys. "It's important. This
is all about awareness. My kids are going to play hockey, too," said Boughner.
Iginla, however, has been one of the biggest supporters of the program,
particularly financially. In November Gengenbach met with the Flames in
Detroit, outlining the program and talking about some new drugs that could
help regenerate damaged spinal cords. "Jarome," said Gengenbach, "has been
an amazing guy." Iginla shrugs off his financial contribution. "It's great
to see that they are close to some breakthroughs," he said.
Gengenbach, a quadriplegic from a hockey accident who worked for the National
Hockey League Players Association until last December moved over to help
run Shoot for a Cure, which was launched last January. Gengenbach's injury
was not the result of malice. He caught an edge in a rut, fell and hit
the boards, confining him to a wheelchair.
"I was skating hard towards a defenceman in the corner," recalled Gengenbach.
I lost an edge and hit the boards. It was a freak accident. It could have been
avoided by going sideways, at an angle."
Statistics on the Shoot For a Cure website note that almost every week
during the regular hockey season a player suffers a serious spinal injury.
From 1982-1996, an average of 20 hockey related major spinal injuries were
reported annually. Canada led those statistics reporting 252 injuries followed
by Sweden with 54 and the US with 36. During that same 15-year period,
at least 8 players died and 85 required wheelchairs indefinitely due to
spinal injuries sustained while playing hockey.
Gengenbach added that the injuries occur during organized games in most
cases. "Playing pond hockey you hardly ever get injured," said Gengenbach.
But, when the equipment is donned, the attitude changes. "They just skate
around with this feeling of invincibility," said Gengenbach.
Preventing the injuries and finding a cure became a project for Gengenbach
while he was working at the NHLPA. "I just started researching things on
my own," he said.
When he travels around the NHL talking to players, he finds sympathetic
ears. They are playing a fast game in which an injury is just a split second
away.
Among the players involved is Colorado's Chris Drury, a teammate of Travis
Roy at Boston College, who suffered a serious spinal injury during a game.
Montreal's Brian Savage and Phoenix Coyote Brad May make up the advisory
board executive. Theo Fleury, broadcaster John Davidson and Vancouver Canuck
Trevor Linden are also with the program.
Why?
Gengenbach has the answer. "There are so many guys in the league that have
been affected by it, and the game has changed so much," he said. "There
is only a matter of time before there is a major, major injury in the NHL."
By: Mike Board, TSN Max
Planned
Giving with Ross M. Durant Insurance Agency Limited
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A gift of life insurance can benefit your favourite charity in a way that
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4950 Yonge Street, Suite 508, North York, Ontario M2N 6K1
(416) 222-2262 o Fax: (416) 222-2510
cmwilson@durant-financial.com
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