A 10-year-old girl in Pennsylvania is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant — and her mother is on a mission to find the perfect match.

Lani Walter suffers from a disease called DOCK8 deficiency (dedicator of cytokinesis 8 deficiency), an immunodeficiency syndrome that can cause recurrent, life-threatening infections. 

DOCK8 is very rare, with only 250 people worldwide currently diagnosed, statistics show. The only cure for DOCK8 is a bone marrow transplant — also known as a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

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Ashleigh Walter, a kindergarten teacher, is pleading for people to join the bone marrow/blood stem cell registry to help her daughter find a donor by summer.

"Time is of the essence," she told Fox News Digital.

Walter’s daughter was diagnosed with DOCK8 when she was 7½ years old, the culmination of a long series of symptoms and illnesses.

"Lani’s health issues started at just a couple of months old," Walter told Fox News Digital during an interview. "As a baby, she had full-body eczema from head to toe and continuous ear infections."

At 11 months old, she was diagnosed with severe allergies to eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts and many other foods. She's also experienced continuous skin infections and staph infections.

In Jan. 2021, the family was invited to a clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where Walter’s daughter was able to see specialists from immunology, allergy and dermatology together in one appointment.

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"They all came together to try and figure out what might be going on," Walter said. "Each of the specialties ran their own special bloodwork to see what was going on with Lani."

The results showed some abnormalities in the immune system, and doctors recommended doing genetic testing.

A few months later, the family received the news that Walter’s daughter has two variants of the DOCK8 gene.

"If you have issues on both sides of the gene, that's when you present with the disorder," Walter said. "Testing showed that both my husband and I are recessive carriers to the DOCK8 variant, which we passed down to Lani."

She added, "So that was when we found out that all of the health issues Lani has experienced throughout her entire life were not unrelated."

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in Lani Walter’s care but commented on the condition.

"DOCK 8 is a rare immune condition where the bone marrow doesn't make enough immune cells and the immune cells that are made have trouble penetrating into dense tissue, like skin," he told Fox News Digital.

After the diagnosis, Walter’s daughter was invited to visit the National Institute of Health in Maryland, where researchers are studying DOCK8 deficiency. 

"We go there about every six months to see how Lani is doing, and what they recommend as she gets older," Walter said.

The symptoms of DOCK8 deficiency tend to get more severe as the child grows into late adolescence and early adulthood, doctors have said.

Some of the biggest concerns are respiratory difficulties and a higher risk of various cancers, along with the ongoing risk of infections.

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To help manage her condition, Walter’s daughter has been getting weekly intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) infusions, which add human antibodies to help fight off infections.

She also takes daily antibiotics to help prevent pneumonia, uses an inhaler to help her respiratory system and takes other medications to treat different illnesses she experiences as a result of her DOCK8 deficiency.

"That's probably one of the least favorite parts of her day, when I tell her that she needs to take her medicine," Walter said.

Since the only cure for her condition is a bone marrow transplant, "her doctors recommend that Lani has [the] transplant to help cure the DOCK8 before she gets older."

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert at Senolytix, described HSCT as a "transformative reset button" for patients suffering from DOCK8 deficiency.

Osborn is not involved in Lani Walter’s care.

"Imagine your immune system as a computer plagued by a virus," he told Fox News Digital.

"HSCT removes the compromised ‘software’ and installs new, functional cells. For individuals with DOCK8 deficiency — who typically face frequent infections, severe allergies and increased cancer risk — HSCT can mean a dramatic shift toward immunologic normalcy, providing a new lease on life."

Siegel also emphasized the procedure’s importance, calling it a "crucial life-saving procedure."

The average wait for a transplant is about three months, according to Siegel.

"They are very expensive — about $190,000," he said. "Insurance generally covers the procedure, but not the cost of finding a donor."

There is around a 25% chance that a sibling will be a match. In Lani Walter’s case, her 14-year-old sister was not a match.

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"The overall chance of finding a match in the world is 1/3 to 2/3," Siegel said.

The organization known as NMDP, formerly the National Marrow Donor Program/Be the Match, maintains a registry of people who are willing to donate. The Walter family found a 90% match on the registry, but the optimal situation would be to find a 100% match.

"There's much less risk with the bone marrow transplant if you can find that perfect match," Walter told Fox News Digital. 

Lani Walter’s doctors recommend that she receives the donation before she starts middle school. Next year, she will start fifth grade.

"Ideally, we would do it before Lani sees significant issues with other organs in her body," said Ashleigh Walter. 

If the family does not find a perfect match, Walter said she will donate to her daughter, as parents are always half-matches.

"Obviously, we would still love for her to be able to find a full match on the donor registry, which is much less of a risk," she said. "But if that's not possible, we can move forward with a half match."

With partial matches, there is a higher risk of "graft versus host disease," which is a complication that occurs when donor bone marrow or stem cells attack the recipient.

"It can cause different issues throughout the body, similar to an organ transplant rejection," Walter said.

If her daughter receives a successful bone marrow transplant, Walter said — she will be cured of DOCK8.

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"She won't have an immune deficiency anymore," she said. "She'll adopt the immune system of the donor, and we won't have to worry about any of those increased risks at all."

Walter is hopeful that her daughter — whom she describes as "a little kid at heart" — will soon be healthy and able to return to the activities she loves, including swimming.

"Lani has been on a swim team since kindergarten, and this will be her first summer not doing it," Walter said. 

She also enjoys bike-riding, crafting, and spending time with her friends and pets.

There are millions of potential donors on the bone marrow registry — with more than 300,000 Americans joining just last year — but Walter noted that the likelihood of someone finding a perfect match is very low. 

"The more people who join the registry, the more likely that a perfect match will be there for you," she said.

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As a neurosurgical trauma surgeon, Osborn of Florida said he can attest to the dire need for blood and bone marrow donors.

"There is a critical shortage of both," he said. "In emergency and surgical settings, the availability of blood products can be the difference between life and death."

It’s "vital" to have diversity in the bone marrow registry, Osborn noted.

"A closely matched donor reduces complications and improves outcomes," he said.

"This emphasizes why everyone should consider joining the registry. We can all manufacture these potentially life-saving blood products, and by donating, we fulfill a crucial societal need."

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While some have the misconception that donation is difficult, Osborn said that’s not the case.

"Donating bone marrow is a low-risk, outpatient procedure associated with only minor discomfort. It’s a great way to pay it forward."

People can join the bone marrow registry by visiting the NMDP’s website to order a test kit.

"It’s a really simple cheek swab kit that they'll send to your house and then you send it back," Walter said. "You don't have to pay any money for anything."

"The more people that join, the more people who can find their perfect match."

"For conditions like DOCK8 deficiency, a bone marrow transplant can offer a chance at a healthier life," Osborn added.

"Joining the bone marrow registry could be your most profound gift, potentially saving a life with your healthy cells."

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The director of the National Environmental Protection Service (Senpa), Captain René Rodríguez Álvarez, explained that the seven Dominicans arrested by the military troops were handed over to the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Defense of the Environment and Natural Resources (Proedemaren) for their submission to the courts.

Rodríguez Álvarez indicated that 16 animals were seized inside the park and 49 conucos were seized.
Also confiscated were two outboard motors and two boats that were illegally fishing in the Samaná Bay area, as well as seven tools.

The troops, who entered the park through Pilancón, Los Limones, Laguna Cristal and Sabana de la Mar, dismantled 12 shacks.

The intervention operation carried out by the Environment, in coordination with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and under the operational direction of Senpa, includes the participation of the General Directorate of Immigration and other government agencies.

The Army, the Navy and the Air Force of the Dominican Republic, as well as the National Police, the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), the National Investigations Department (DNI), the Joint Task Force Ciudad Tranquila (FTC-Ciutran) and the Military and Police Commission (Comipol) are participating in the intervention.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Council for Children (Conani), the General Directorate of Livestock, the Social Assistance Plan of the Presidency and the Economic Canteens of the Dominican State.

The military personnel alone exceed 200 men and women, distributed in five task forces, under the command of National Army Colonel Alejandro Santana Mota.

View the full post PWU president urges Government to rethink healthcare strategy on NOW Grenada.

“Different parts of the pumpkin can be used to secure different vitamins and phytonutrients the body needs”

View the full post The benefits of eating pumpkin on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- The director of SeNaSa emphasized that during his tenure alone, 1,549 codes have been granted to healthcare professionals. Additionally, he mentioned that he continued processing the 132 cases inherited upon assuming office, ensuring compliance with regulations set by the Superintendency of Health and Occupational Risks (Sisalril).

The executive director of SeNaSa stated that the Dominican ARS is currently handling 28 applications, with completion imminent, and only fourteen are awaiting evaluation. “Upon completion of this process, a total of 1,591 professionals from various healthcare fields will have their codes under our administration.”

He specified that these health professionals meeting supervisory body requirements are spread across the country and represent various specialties including family medicine, urology, cardiology, pediatrics, anesthesiology, psychology, proctology, perinatology, rheumatology, neurology, internal medicine, nephrology, hematology, and obstetrics-gynecology, among others.

“We are dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaborating on solutions that benefit our members the most. Our commitment remains ensuring access to quality services that comply with current standards,” stated Dr. Hazim.

He recalled the agreement reached last year with the Dominican Medical College and Sislaril, establishing the requirements for obtaining these codes through various meetings.

Dr. Hazim concluded by affirming SeNaSa’s ongoing commitment to open dialogue in pursuit of continual enhancements in member services.

View the full post Ministry of Agriculture suspends issuance of burn permits on NOW Grenada.

On Thursday, May 2, the following districts will be sprayed: Chelston Cross Gap, Chelston Avenue and Garden, Tamarind Avenue, Chapel Place, Dalkeith Village, Seamen Village, Bullens Avenue, Paddock Road and avenues, Kings Village, Deighton Road, and Gooding Land and avenues.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, May 3, when the Unit visits Dayrells Road, Brathwaite Gap, Gooding Road, Plum Close, Overdene Drive, Ventor Gardens, and surrounding districts.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the fog.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

The post Fogging schedule for May 2 – 3 appeared first on Barbados Today.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental illness, experiencing emotional distress or harbouring thoughts of self-harm, a new 24-hour mental health hotline is officially here to help. 

Lifeline Barbados – 536-4500 – was officially launched Friday by the government to offer support for mental health issues.

Already, the helpline has received more than 300 calls since it began operating two months ago, revealing anxiety, depression, social issues, other personal matters, financial challenges, and thoughts of suicide among callers.

“The vast majority of the calls related to suicide ideation were categorised as low risk,” Minister of State in the Ministry of Health Davidson Ishmael told attendees at the helpline’s launch at the ministry’s Culloden Road offices. “What we found interesting and encouraging is that there were several calls from persons who simply wanted to speak to someone.”

Lifeline Barbados was established in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) with the goal of addressing the growing number of mental health challenges faced by Barbadians, particularly following the peak of the COVID pandemic, according to Ishmael.

In recent years, mental health has risen in importance for Barbadians, prompting the government to address the challenge, he said.

Ishmael said: “Barbadians would be acutely aware that we had a period of time in recent years where there was an unfortunate and undesirable spate of suicides which occurred within our island, and which captured the immediate attention of our government and varied stakeholders and partners within the mental health space. This captured attention quickly turned to robust planning, and that robust planning has led us to decisive action in the form of the creation of Lifeline Barbados.”

The hotline began operating “quietly” in February, operating from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily on two shifts, including holidays. Now, with help from the ministry’s partners, training for the hotline operators has been carried out, said the minister.

“The hotline is currently staffed by 15 persons, comprising the hotline manager, four supervisors, and ten hotline operators,” Ishmael said. “The operators who man the phones and interface with the caller will be responsible for providing general mental health information, emotional support and crisis intervention services. Accordingly, I can confirm that the entire hotline staff have been trained to perform their critical functions. With the support of our strategic partner PAHO/WHO, the ministry was able to engage the services of an international consultant to develop the standard operating procedures and to train the staff in the hotline in helpline crisis intervention techniques.”

The minister stressed that although the island’s suicide rate was well below the global average, suicide and self-harm were “fully recognised” as health issues prompting the need for the helpline.  

“Local health statistics show that on average, twice as many persons [have]sought out mental health services at our multiple polyclinics as compared to the pre-COVID years,” said Ishmael. 

“Lifeline Barbados has been established based on international best practice guidelines, and it is anticipated that it will further enhance our national response to mental health challenges, allowing for immediate and appropriate interventions and follow-up. Ultimately, the ministry’s objective is to ensure that all citizens have improved access to quality mental health services that meet their needs, without exposing them to any financial hardships or duress.”

The minister also assured that a complete restructuring of the country’s mental health framework was on the horizon.

(SB)

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Santo Domingo.- The Executive Director of the National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor), Eddy Alcántara, announced on Thursday that the initial laboratory studies conducted by the institution on a dozen rice brands sold in the country revealed no presence of harmful metals detrimental to people’s health.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Pro Consumidor headquarters, Alcántara assured that these studies provide assurance that the rice consumed in the Dominican Republic poses no health risks to consumers.

The official elaborated that these laboratory examinations were prompted by complaints appearing in various media outlets alleging contamination of rice with heavy metals like mercury, copper, arsenic, and lead. “However, such concerns have been dispelled by the findings of these studies, which we are disclosing today,” he emphasized in a press release.

Alcántara clarified that the tests encompassed several domestic and imported rice brands sourced from supermarkets, grocery stores, warehouses, and other establishments. “This initial study of the marketed brands in the country ensures peace of mind and food sovereignty,” he added.

As the market surveillance authority, Alcántara affirmed that upon receiving reports from certain media outlets, they promptly collected samples for laboratory analysis. “As soon as we obtained these initial results, we are sharing them with the public,” he affirmed.

He asserted Pro Consumidor’s commitment to conducting further tests on other rice brands available in the national market until a comprehensive review is completed. Alcántara reiterated that if the presence of heavy metals is detected in any other rice brands, the responsible parties will face sanctions, and the product will be removed from the market, in accordance with consumer protection law 358-05.

He underscored that the regulations stipulate that “products and services must be supplied or provided in such a manner that, when consumed or used under normal or foreseeable conditions, they do not pose any danger, harmfulness, or unforeseen risks to the health and safety of the consumer or user.”

One in five women between ages 55 and 75 will experience a stroke in their lifetime, according to the American Heart Association.

There are two main types of strokes.

With an ischemic stroke, a blockage prevents blood from flowing properly to the brain. With a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel bursts in the brain and causes bleeding, which damages brain cells.

While some risk factors such as age, race and family history can’t be changed, others can be mitigated through healthy lifestyle choices.

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Parag Shah, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist who practices at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, Florida, shared some specific tips about how women can reduce their risk.

Here are five tips.

Research has shown that air pollution tends to impact women more than men in terms of inflammation, infection and heart disease.

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"According to a recent review, elevated levels of ambient air pollution — even just short-term exposure — can increase the likelihood of strokes," said Shah, who specializes in stroke rehabilitation.

"Health experts recommend checking the air quality in your area and, on high-pollution days, limiting time outside, turning on exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and using an air purifier in the home," he also said.

The Mediterranean diet — a plant-based nutrition plan that mimics the regional cuisines of the countries along the Mediterranean Sea, such as Italy and Greece — can reduce the health risks associated with strokes, according to Shah.

"Current research on preventing strokes is exploring an array of lifestyle factors," he told Fox News Digital. 

"This includes the Mediterranean diet, which highlights the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, olive oil and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseed." 

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Practicing exercises that promote heart health and lessen stress can help reduce the possibility of stroke, Shah suggested. 

"Participating in physical activities like yoga, tai chi and strength training, while also giving importance to mindfulness techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, could provide additional advantages in lowering the risk of strokes," he told Fox News Digital.

Sudden confusion, difficulty understanding, slurred speech, double vision, and numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, are often overlooked signs of strokes, Shah warned.

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"Recognizing these signs is crucial, because quick identification and immediate medical attention greatly enhance the chances of recovery for stroke patients," he said.

Beyond the more obvious "textbook" stroke symptoms, there are some warning signs that tend to be overlooked until it’s too late.

"Factors like pregnancy, giving birth and hormonal changes such as menopause can heighten the likelihood of having a stroke," Shah told Fox News Digital. 

The use of oral contraceptives and hormone therapy can also raise this risk, the doctor added, as can hidden biological factors that make women more susceptible. 

"Scheduling regular health check-ups and staying knowledgeable about stroke symptoms and prevention methods are essential for maintaining good health," Shah said.

"Preventing most strokes is similar to the prevention of heart attacks," Dr. Laxmi Mehta, a cardiologist and director of preventative cardiology and women's cardiovascular health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.

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In her practice, Mehta typically recommends following the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, which provides steps to improve or maintain cardiovascular health.  

These include four healthy behaviors and four health factors, as listed below.

1. Quit tobacco. Avoid cigarettes, vaping and other nicotine products, which have been proven to increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

2. Eat better. Following a healthy eating pattern that includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean protein, nuts and seeds can reduce stroke risk.

3. Be more active. Experts recommend participating in 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity weekly.

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4. Get healthy sleep. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night to reduce stroke risk, according to experts.

5. Manage blood pressure. A "normal" blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80, according to the National Institutes of Health.

6. Manage cholesterol. High cholesterol levels have a proven link to stroke risk. A healthy range for LDL ("bad") cholesterol is 100 mg/dL or lower, as published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

7. Manage blood sugar. Excessive levels of glucose in the blood can increase the risk of fatty deposits or clots, which are a factor in strokes.

8. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest risk factors and is linked to nearly one in five strokes, according to the World Stroke Organization.

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