Happier, Healthier and Younger in Retirement

By Former Fortune 100 Company President Fred Sievert

We all understand and appreciate the need for sound financial planning during the years preceding retirement. Who among us hasn’t gone online to calculate our retirement “nest-egg” needs and then panicked because accumulating that much wealth seemed inconceivable; especially if we started the process at age 55 or later?

While it’s critically important to solicit financial planning advice from professionals and then to demonstrate strong personal discipline in executing the plan, there is another aspect to your retirement plans that are equally important. My own retirement has proven to be a magnificent experience of feeling happier, healthier and younger than I’ve felt in decades. How did I plan for that and how can you plan too?

While being prepared financially for a secure retirement certainly contributes enormously to our happiness, I have found it even more important to attend to all of the other nonfinancial aspects of post-career lifestyle and plans.

Caught up in the rigors of pursuing a career, many of us dream of a time in retirement when we can relax, pursue leisurely activities, travel more often, and hence we believe, enjoy life more fully. I remember when I was climbing the corporate ladder at New York Life and working 14 or more hours per day (with little reprieve on Saturday or Sunday). A half-hour with family was rare but wonderful and even running errands for an hour or two on a Saturday morning was a welcomed escape from the toil and intensity of the job. How wonderful it was to fantasize about the days when I would finally get some well-deserved rest and relief from that hectic pace.

However, like many people, since embarking on the very real retirement voyage, I have discovered that the formula for success and happiness has little to do with how much we relax, rest and enjoy leisurely activities. A happy retirement comes from continuing to live a life of consequence and impact. In fact, if you’re like me, when the time comes, you will quickly stop describing yourself as “retired” and instead talk about how engaged and energized you are in the pursuit of your most important lifelong passions. The adjective “retired” is a real misnomer for me and for thousands like me.

Whether you’re in your 60s, 50s or even 40s, let me offer some advice on how to begin to explore and plan for your nonfinancial activities in your retirement years. The earlier you do this the better since the planning you do now can position you for greater fulfillment later. 

Perhaps the easiest way to start the nonfinancial planning process is to ask, and honestly answer the following three questions:

1. What has made you happiest and provided the greatest gratification in your pre-retirement years? In short, what are your greatest passions?
2. What are your unique gifts and skills that can be best utilized to generate the most satisfaction following your career?
3. What can you do now to position yourself for the greatest impact on your world when you decide to scale back or retire from your current vocation?
   
   The answers to questions like these are unique to every individual and will force you to wrestle with elusive concepts like “success,” “satisfaction” and “happiness.” Nonetheless, I think you’ll find it thought-provoking and enjoyable to go through the exercise of contemplation and answering. 

Perhaps it will be useful for you to read about my own discoveries as I navigated through this important planning effort. My financial planning began long before retirement but my nonfinancial lifestyle planning began in earnest just three years before my official transition out of my career and into the next phase of my life. Over that three-year period, I benefited from the advice of a financial advisor, a personal coach, and a spiritual coach. Although utilizing such advisors and coaches can be enormously helpful and I would highly recommend it, I don’t see it as an essential element of the process.

Answering the Passion Question

Most of us are happiest when we are pursuing our passions. So step one for me was to clearly identify those activities and pursuits that left me with the greatest sense of accomplishment, self-worth, and therefore, happiness. “What makes me tick?” I asked myself. I considered many possibilities, but the answer became clear when I thought about my participation in my church and other volunteer activities, my service on nonprofit boards and my coaching, teaching and mentoring young executives and employees. What makes me most happy is positively touching and impacting the lives of other human beings. So as I thoughtfully contemplated doing this in my future, I began to see retirement as a new beginning, a period of significance and impact rather than settling into a slower paced life of leisure. Think about those activities that give you the greatest joy and sense of fulfillment and then attempt to articulate your passions in a sentence or two.

Answering the Gifts and Skills Question 

It’s almost a certainty that there will be a high correlation between what you do well and what makes you happy. However, expand your thought process by reflecting on all kinds of moments in your life — beyond your work activities — when you have felt truly happy and fulfilled. What made time stand still? What were you doing just before that tremendous sense of accomplishment and wellbeing? When you remember, then ask yourself what you personally contributed to that experience and what value you added in the process. 

For me, my ability to impact people’s lives and to add value in interpersonal interactions during my career and in my volunteer activities most often utilized my financial acumen, my storytelling and writing skills as well as my teaching and mentoring abilities; and these abilities were always buttressed by my strong personal faith. 

My passion was in positively impacting people’s lives and the gifts and skills I utilized to do so became pretty evident as I went through this thought process. So I realized that I should continue to pursue my passions post-retirement by effectively deploying my financial acumen, my teaching and mentoring skills and my storytelling and writing abilities, while doing so within the context and value system of my faith. 

Answering the Preparation Question

Having identified your passions and your unique gifts and skills, you need to consider how you will prepare for the next phase of your life and, in so doing, maximize your effectiveness and your ultimate happiness. 

Using my own example, my preparation involved several steps I initiated well before officially retiring — steps that not only set the stage for longer-term impact and fulfillment but also led to future endeavors well beyond my pre-retirement imagination. 

Feeling strongly that I needed to enhance my spiritual education and development, I began to research and then apply for a post-graduate degree program in religion. Because I’d completed this work in advance, immediately upon retirement I commenced a program at Yale Divinity School that I found remarkably enjoyable and fulfilling. 

Before retirement, I also began to construct a business school course on executive management and leadership in which I felt I could impact students’ lives utilizing my teaching and writing skills. As a part of that process, I wrote 16 real-life case studies derived from my career experiences. Since retirement, I have been teaching this course and others as an adjunct professor at two business schools.

In line with my identified passions and skills, I also researched both the nonprofit and for-profit organizations in which I felt I could add value utilizing my business and financial acumen and I now serve on five nonprofit and two for-profit boards where I have been able to do exactly that. 

Most recently I have set up a website, Godrevealed.com, where I have posted stories of my personal encounters with God over the course of my life. The website has attracted nearly 100,000 visitors in less than a year and has proven to be an effective vehicle for expressing my faith and utilizing my storytelling skills. 

It’s both exhilarating and rewarding to know that my gifts and skills have found an avenue for such meaningful expression. The peace of mind that has come from following my passions and impacting the lives of other people has literally left me far happier than I have been in many years. 

And one final thought: don’t forget to remain physically active and take care of yourself. I believe that the combination of meaningful post-retirement engagement coupled with a physical exercise routine, proper sleep, and good eating habits has contributed to a dramatic improvement in all of my vital signs. One of the truly amazing outcomes in this phase of my life has been a sense of youthfulness many years younger than my chronological age. 

If you’ll follow your own passions in a way that effectively deploys your own unique gifts and skills, I’m certain that you too will feel happier, healthier and younger in retirement.

About the author:

Fred Sievert retired as President of New York Life Insurance Co., a Fortune 100 Company, at the height of his career to attend Yale Divinity School. He is the author of the books: God Revealed: Revisit Your Past to Enrich your Future (Morgan James, 2014) and Grace Revealed: Finding God's Strength in Any Crisis (Broadstreet Publishing, 2018). 

4 Important Ways to Stay Safe While Biking

Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just someone who likes to go out for an occasional bike ride, it’s important to prioritize your safety while on your journey. Mishaps can occur while biking along roads, trails and other areas, and you’ll want to do everything possible to keep yourself out of harm’s way. Following these four tips can help you stay safe while biking. 

Try Bike Reflectors 
Bike reflectors reflect light from the sun and vehicle headlights, making you more visible to others. A reflector can be attached to the back and front of your bike. There are also reflectors that can be placed around the wheels to provide maximum visibility. Another option is to stick some reflective tape on your clothing or on parts of your bike so that you can be seen clearer in darker settings. While this may not seem like a stylish option, bikers are often missed by drivers because they move quickly and are smaller than cars. Reflectors for bikes are made of the same materials as those used for traffic cones, barriers, and even on vehicles. Because of this association, drivers will be more likely to instinctively avoid getting too close to your bike before they even fully register that there is a biker on the road. 

Wear Bright Clothing 
Everyone should be wearing a helmet when on a bike, but helmets aren’t the only style choice that can increase your safety. Wearing bright clothing is another great way to make yourself more noticeable so that motor vehicles or other cyclists don’t collide into you. Fluorescent colored-clothing with yellow-green often works well when cycling during the day. Plain white can also be a good choice for day or night rides. You’ll be more visible in dimmer light by wearing an orange-red fluorescent color. Windbreakers and jackets made specifically for bikers are available on the market that intentionally incorporate these color schemes, some even including reflectors for maximum safety. Even when you are decked out in neon and reflectors, however, never take for granted that a car will stop for you. You are much more exposed on a bike than in a car and are much more likely to be severely injured in an accident than the driver, so it is especially important to use defensive techniques and to always be aware of your surroundings.

Use Hand Signs 
Unless you put electronic turn signals on your bike, you’ll want to use hand signs to let drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists who are near you know what your next move will be. If you’ve ever had to deal with a car on the road that never uses a turn signal, you know how important indicating your intended direction is. If you don’t signal your intent, then cars will assume that you are going straight and act accordingly, potentially leading to a crash if you turn unexpectedly. DMV.org lists several hand signs that can be used for bikers and drivers whose turn signals aren’t working. Pointing with your left arm straight out to your left side will indicate that you want to turn left. You can also hold your left arm up and turn it to a 90-degree angle to signify a right turn. If you are already stopped at a stop sign, take a moment to make eye contact with the driver that will be crossing your intended route, just like you would as a pedestrian. In terms of rules of the road, make sure to remember that you are held to all of the same driving rules as cars, including following all of the same signs.

Plan Routes Ahead of Time 
Spontaneity can sometimes be a good thing in life, but not when you’re travelling upwards of 10-20 miles an hour on a bike. Stopping too frequently in or at the side of the road increases your likelihood of running complications with other vehicles, making it safer to know your route ahead of time, and also makes it easier to signal your intent if you already know where you’re going. If you don’t plan ahead, you also increase the chance of getting lost, running into rugged and unfamiliar roads that your tires are ill-suited for, or hitting areas of dangerously high traffic. You’ll also want to know how and where to get help if you are injured or your bike is disabled. In addition to mapping out your route in advance, you can bring a GPS tracker or use your cellphone’s mobile tracking system as a guide. Whether you bike habitually or just on occasion, make sure you travel with identification, emergency contact numbers, and relevant medical information like heart conditions or allergies in the event you are incapacitated. Selecting a personal injury attorneyahead of time can also make getting compensation for injuries simpler, as you won’t have to do research and compare service quotes during your recovery process.

You can avoid danger and enjoy a better bike ride by taking preventative measures to stay safe. It is much easier to enjoy your ride when you don’t have to worry about where you’re going or if you can be seen. Biking is extremely beneficial for your cardiovascular health and for maintaining a healthy level of toned muscle mass, and by taking care of your safety as well, you’ll be able to stay healthy and enjoy your riding experience to the fullest.

Apple, PC, HD, DM:  No, we are talking about Healthcare!
By Joshua Mansour, M.D. 

I was in the hospital when I heard the word apple.  Without hesitating I reached in my pocket to see if I had my phone.  By the way, they were talking about the fruit, not the product.  This got me thinking, has technology and our products now become more important than our health?  
 
Technology surrounds us and has become a large part of how we live on a daily basis. I’m not saying that technology and its progression and evolution is all bad, but certain aspects may pose a health risk.  I mean I am writing this article on my laptop right now to try and reach out and help others.  Technology has served many positive aspects and revolutionized how we take care of patients today.

There used to be the common phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”.  This may still remain true but in a different light.  People have become so preoccupied with their gadgets that they are not taking the time to take care of themselves, let alone visit a doctor.

If I was to write the word apple on a piece of paper then ask someone about the word, I bet many people would think I was talking about the company.  You wouldn’t think I was talking about the fruit the boasts antioxidants and fiber and may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, stroke, cholesterol, and diabetes.  Oh, diabetes you say?

 If I was to do the same thing with the letters DM, a person would be quicker to think I was talking about Direct Messaging someone on Instagram than Diabetes Mellitus.  This disease, caused by an elevated level of glucose in your body that can lead to kidney disease, nerve damage, high blood pressure, eye problems, strokes, sexual health issues, and even HD.

That’s HD, as in Heart Disease, not the High Definition screen which with many people spend hours a day watching.  Ironically, sitting for hours in front of an HD can eventually lead to the other type of HD.  There is actually an increase in risk with sedentary behavior such as sitting for prolonged hours in front of your HD television and Heart disease.

Although the screen is now high definition, your eyesight is now not.  Increased screen time can lead to a multitude of visual defects including, myopia (near sidedness), retinal damage, eye strain, and blurred vision-- the opposite of high definition, not to mention the headaches, neck, shoulder, and back strain associated with sitting and staring in the same position for hours at a time.     

While technology in many ways has given us greater access to information and improved communication among others, our obsession with it can have detrimental effects on our health. Many of us use a Personal Computer (PC) every day, but when is the last time that we saw a PC (Primary Care) doctor?  

 The World Health Organization posted an article over a decade ago warning people that a sedentary lifestyle can be one of the top ten leading causes of death and disability in the world. Physical inactivity as a whole not only increases mortality, but can severely increase the risk of heart disease (HD), Diabetes Mellitus (DM), obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Physical inactivity can lead to poor diet and nutrition as well.  It is a slippery slope with a downward spiral that studies have now shown can even increase your risk of cancer.  The America Cancer Society indicates that about 1/5 of all cancer deaths in the United States each year are linked to excess body weight, poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, and decreased physical activity.  Although there are genetic factors as well as cellular factors that continue to be discovered play a role, there is no denying that a healthy diet and physical activity contribute to cancer prevention.

Instead of being outdoors, while indoors locked to our computer screens, we risk Vitamin D deficiency (recently shown to be linked to an increase in cancer) as well as, again, an inactive and sedentary lifestyle.  While sitting indoors many of us will eat processed food or snack on food high levels of nitrates or sodium, that have been linked to several deleterious health effects, including cancer.  At the same time, we will binge eat, while multitasking on our devices, and lose sight of portion control.  As I said, it’s a slippery slope. 

 So, the next time you find yourself spending too much time in front of a screen, think about your health and what you may be doing to your body.  After all, we each only get one.

 Follow my journey from the begining @DoctorJosh_MD     

Without Bees, Our Food and Flowers Will Look Like These

CALGARY, Feb. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - The honey bee ecosystem is fragile and given honey bees are the world's most significant species of pollinator, it's vital that we protect them. One in three bites of food we eat is made possible by bees, so without them, we'd be saying goodbye to our morning coffees, avocado toast and more! What if you could contribute towards a positive bee environment while digging into a little pot of gold? Enter Drizzle Honey, the everyday luxury honey that focuses on local and sustainable beekeeping and might just be your secret ingredient in the kitchen.

Founder Aja Horsley is an environmental scientist-turned-entrepreneur that came to appreciate the increasing urgency to support sustainable beekeeping efforts. "Drizzle proudly sources its honey from apiaries across Alberta which not only keeps the honey completely raw and bee-friendly but also supports local beekeepers," says Aja.

"Our hives are placed strategically so that the bees are far away from pesticides while staying close to diverse floral sources which, in turn, means healthier bees," says Aja. "All in all, we love our bees and it's important that consumers purchase their honey from beekeepers that focus on their welfare as much as they do their output." Drizzle continues to support a bright future for local bee populations by donating funds towards science-based pollinator research through Pollinator Partnerships.

To this day, both imported and Canadian honey companies blend the collected honey from all their hives to maintain a consistent taste year-round. As showcased in the Netflix Documentary, Rotten, many companies cut their honey with corn starch without informing the consumer. Unlike their competitors, Drizzle is proud to offer raw honey that is never filtered or heated while showcasing the unique flavour and colour of different hive locations.

Approved and invested in by local business mogul, Arlene Dickinson, the notion that luxury honey is reserved for tea and toast is passé and Drizzle is challenging that with a robust superfood collection like turmeric and ginger.

Forget the flowers and give the gift of cooking for your sweetie by making our Honey Butter Popcorn on your next movie night. Your honey will love the treat while ensuring there is delicious honey and beautiful flowers for generations to come. Pick up your Arlene Dickinson approved jar of Drizzle at 23 Calgary Co-ops and more. 

Created in 2014 by Queen Bee, Aja Horsley, Drizzle is a raw, bee-friendly honey that supports Canadian beekeepers. The proudly all female-run business is now changing the way the world uses honey by making innovative, health-conscious products that contribute to bee-friendly initiatives and social prosperity. Through its robust product line, Drizzle is on a mission to let the world know honey is an everyday luxury you can feel great about.

Hemophilia of Georgia names Edith A. Rosato, R.Ph., Chief Executive Officer

National search secures experienced nonprofit, healthcare executive to lead Atlanta-based statewide organization

Atlanta, February 13, 2019 – Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG), the premier organization in Georgia dedicated to providing services and support for people with inherited bleeding disorders, announces the appointment of Edith Rosato, R.Ph., IOM, as its Chief Executive Officer, effective March 11.

Rosato will lead HoG’s dedicated team of professionals while growing the value of the organization to those with inherited bleeding disorders, donors, sponsors, partners and other stakeholders. She will lead efforts to expand relationships with Hemophilia Treatment Centers, federal and state legislators, and the broader bleeding disorders network. 

“Edith’s strategic vision and distinguished career in healthcare and nonprofit management make her the perfect choice to lead Hemophilia of Georgia into the future,” says Tom Singh, a Senior Vice President and Senior Resident Director with Merrill Lynch who is HoG’s Chief Governance Officer. “Her strong commitment to our mission and deep knowledge of pharmacy operations will serve our community well and advance our strategic objectives. We’re thrilled to welcome Edith aboard.” 

Singh further notes that Rosato is a results-driven executive with strong advocacy and coalition-building skills. She previously served as the CEO of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy and Board Chair of its foundation, where she grew the budget to $12 million and the staff to 45. Prior to that, she served as President of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation and Senior VP, Pharmacy Affairs for the association.  She also held key positions with Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, and started her career with CVS, moving from registered pharmacist manager to a corporate role at the company’s headquarters.

“As a veteran of the healthcare association world, I’m excited to join Hemophilia of Georgia,” Rosato says, “and continue my commitment to expand access to quality healthcare services. In particular, I am eager to advocate for and work to ensure those with bleeding disorders have ready access to the support, resources and tools they need, enabling them to live as normally and productively as possible.”

Hemophilia of Georgia (www.hog.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services and support for people who have hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease, and other inherited bleeding disorders. The only agency of its kind in the state, Hemophilia of Georgia works to enhance clients’ care and quality of life while actively pursuing a cure through research funding. HoG serves more than 1,500 Georgians with inherited bleeding disorders. It is headquartered in Atlanta.

The search was conducted by association and non-profit search firm Vetted Solutions. 

More about Hemophilia of Georgia

Hemophilia of Georgia is a trusted resource for medical providers and offers rewarding opportunities for volunteers and donors. Its nonprofit pharmacy provides convenient home delivery of clotting factor and other medications at competitive prices. HoG is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, including individuals who have bleeding disorders. For more than 45 years, Hemophilia of Georgia staff has provided a wide range of programs and services including blood clotting products, home infusion training, education, and activities for people who have hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

Ways to contribute to Hemophilia of Georgia.

Volunteer opportunities with HoG.

More about Edith Rosato

Rosato holds a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Temple University, is a registered pharmacist and holds a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organization Management Certificate, as well as an Executive Healthcare Leadership Certificate from Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management. She was inducted into Temple University’s Gallery of Success for her professional achievements and her inspiration to pharmacy students, and was commencement speaker for Temple’s School of Pharmacy, Class of 2012. She is active in her profession through its membership and academic organizations, and works as a mentor. Away from work Rosato and her husband enjoy boating in their 38-foot cabin cruiser, gardening, history, international travel and their English-shorthaired pointer, Champ. (Full bio on request.)

Ankylosing Spondylitis Associated with Increased Risk of Blood Clot Condition

VANCOUVER, Feb. 13, 2019 /CNW/ - A recent study by Arthritis Research Canada scientists has revealed that individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis that affects the spine, causes chronic back pain and most often affects men under age 40) are 53 per cent more likely to experience venous thromboembolism (VTE) – a blood clot that starts in a vein and can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) – and 63 per cent more likely to have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot in the leg veins.

VTE is rare but potentially life-threatening and an increased risk of the condition has been demonstrated in other types of inflammatory arthritis, including psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis. But there is very little evidence of its risk in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. 

"Clinicians should have an increased awareness of this complication so that they can provide the best care possible to their patients," said Dr. Antonio Aviña-Zubieta, a senior scientist of rheumatology at Arthritis Research Canada and the study's principal investigator. 

This population-based study used a large dataset encompassing almost the entire population of British Columbia and included outpatient and inpatient cases of ankylosing spondylitis, as well as information from primary care and specialist records. 

"These results call for awareness of this complication, increased vigilance and preventive intervention by controlling the inflammatory process or by anticoagulation in a high-risk ankylosing spondylitis population," Dr. Aviña-Zubieta said. "We now need to study whether or not inflammation-decreasing treatment could reduce the risk of this condition."  

Because the data in this study covers the entire spectrum of disease, it allows for generalization to the ankylosing spondylitis population as a whole. 

To read the paper, please click here. 

About ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CANADA: 

Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research centre in North America. Our mission is to transform the lives of people living with arthritis through research and engagement. Led by world-renowned rheumatologist, Dr. John Esdaile, Arthritis Research Canada's scientific team of over 100 are creating a future where people living with arthritis are empowered to triumph over pain and disability. Within British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at arthritis prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, and quality of life issues.

SOURCE Arthritis Research Canada

VALENS GROWORKS INCREASES EXTRACTION CAPACITY SIGNIFICANTLY TO 240,000KG

New Capacity Makes Valens the Largest Third-Party Extraction Company in Canada

Kelowna, B.C., February 13, 2019 – Valens GroWorks Corp. (CSE: VGW, OTC: VGWCF) (the “Company” or “Valens”), a multi-licensed, vertically integrated provider of cannabis products and services focused on various proprietary extraction methodologies, distillation, cannabinoid isolation and purification, as well as associated quality testing, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its annual extraction capacity significantly to 240,000KG of dried cannabis input in order to prepare for customer demand for extraction services.

With this expansion, Valens secures the spot as the largest third-party extraction company in Canada. “We are building a footprint to not only meet the needs of our Canadian customers but meet the needs of the global cannabis marketplace,” said Tyler Robson, CEO of Valens GroWorks. “With edibles and concentrates becoming available later this year in Canada, we must be ready for a shift in consumer demand and in turn be flexible and scalable in our offerings for our clients to meet that demand.”

Valens is able to offer its customers a range of extraction services including crude oil, winterized oil, distillate, and isolate to meet their end product needs. “We have also expanded our product offerings to formulate and customize our clients’ products with regards to vape pens, edibles and concentrates, cannabis infused beverages, tinctures, and capsules as they become available,” Mr. Robson continued. “The evolution of cannabis in Canada is coming and we are going to be at the forefront.”

About Valens GroWorks

Valens GroWorks Corp. is a research-driven, vertically integrated Canadian cannabis company focused on downstream secondary extraction methodology, distillation and cannabinoid isolation and purification, as well as associated quality testing with three wholly-owned subsidiaries located in and around Kelowna, BC. Subsidiary Valens Agritech (“VAL”) holds a license to cultivate cannabis and produce cannabis oil under the Cannabis Act, as well as a license to conduct analytical testing for the cannabis industry.  VAL currently has extraction processing and supply agreements with various leading producers across Canada. Subsidiary Valens Labs is a Health Canada licensed ISO 17025 accredited cannabis testing lab providing sector-leading analytical services and has partnered with Thermo Fisher Scientific to develop a Centre of Excellence in Plant-Based Science. Subsidiary Valens Farms is in the process of becoming a purpose-built facility in compliance with European Union (EU) Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards, ensuring the product from this facility can be exported anywhere in the world where cannabis

Stem cell therapy offers potential for thalassemia patients to have fewer blood transfusions, says GlobalData

The possibility of using hematopoietic stem cells to restore production of normal hemoglobin is being investigated as a potential strategy to reduce the number of blood transfusions for thalassemia patients.

Magdalene Crabbe, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view:

“In clinical trials, stem cells from the bone marrow of thalassemia patients with the normal form of the HBB gene were transfected through a viral vector into their erythrocytes. The majority of patients (68.2%) no longer required monthly blood transfusions.

“Despite the positive trial results, the procedure is expensive and questions remain over the long-term effects of stem cell therapy on people with hematological disorders. 

“Most thalassemia patients need regular transfusions to supply them with red blood cells that can carry enough oxygen, which can improve the patient’s prognosis. However this can result in a multitude of complications. 

“Continued research efforts are needed to find ways to improve the life expectancy of these patients, and to also give them the opportunity to enjoy energetic activities that require the correct functionality of oxygen homeostasis machinery.”  

ENDS

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