Professor Mark J. Holterman, MD, teaches classes in surgery and pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Alongside his academic duties, Dr. Mark J. Holterman is a pioneer in the field of cellular and regenerative therapies. He assisted in the creation of both the Alliance for the Advancement of Cellular Therapeutics and the Hannah Sunshine Foundation.
The Hannah Sunshine Foundation was inspired by three young people whose lives were changed by cellular and regenerative therapies. One of them, Sarah Hughes, was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and dysautonomia at the age of 11 months. Ms. Hughes' autoimmune condition left her unable to gain weight, eat normally, stand for prolonged periods, or engage in many of the activities that young people typically get to enjoy.
At the age of 22, Ms. Hughes underwent regenerative therapy using her own adult stem cells. The biotechnology company Celltex Therapeutics collected a small sample of her fat, which was used to harvest stem cells. After reintroducing the stem cells to her body through an intravenous infusion, Ms. Hughes experienced significant improvements almost immediately. Today, she can not only eat without the help of a feeding tube, but also walk, swim, and ride horses.
The Hannah Sunshine Foundation was inspired by three young people whose lives were changed by cellular and regenerative therapies. One of them, Sarah Hughes, was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and dysautonomia at the age of 11 months. Ms. Hughes' autoimmune condition left her unable to gain weight, eat normally, stand for prolonged periods, or engage in many of the activities that young people typically get to enjoy.
At the age of 22, Ms. Hughes underwent regenerative therapy using her own adult stem cells. The biotechnology company Celltex Therapeutics collected a small sample of her fat, which was used to harvest stem cells. After reintroducing the stem cells to her body through an intravenous infusion, Ms. Hughes experienced significant improvements almost immediately. Today, she can not only eat without the help of a feeding tube, but also walk, swim, and ride horses.
