Stem-cell therapy that could be the magic cure.

Last week Pfizer announced that it will be purchasing the rights to a cell therapy from Athersys.

“Pfizer will have the rights to develop Athersys’ cells to treat inflammatory bowel disease... It will pay Athersys $6 million initially and up to $105 million in the future.”

The cells have not yet been tested in patients with IBD, but are being used as treatment in patients for heart attacks and bone marrow transplants.

More here = athersys.com/IBD
And here = nytimes.com/health

Just in time for Christmas: health care for all

“The Senate voted Thursday to reinvent the nation’s health care system, passing a bill to guarantee access to health insurance for tens of millions of Americans and to rein in health costs as proposed by President Obama.”

What more can I say? Well done America. More here: nytimes.com/health

29,000 feet and climbing.

Talk about hard core, I am officially never allowed to complain about how difficult elevated hiking is on my lungs. Cindy Abbott, a fellow Wegener’s sufferer, will soon be summiting Mount Everest as she strives to raise awareness for the disease and exemplify the importance of living life to its fullest—along with multiple other meritorious goals. Abbott is currently raising funds to travel to Antarctica to train with her guide on a measly 16,000 foot mountain called Mount Vinson.

Jeez. What a rockstar. Read more here: Los Angeles Woman Attempts to Climb Mount Everest and here: Lecturer Struck With Rare Disease

Incredible photo by Rupert Taylor-Price

I’ve got skillz.

I don’t want to brag, but I, like most of my designer colleagues, have got some serious Photoshop skillz. Yep. With a Z. And rightly so—I’ve been using Adobe products since I was 12. That said, you’ll understand why this piece by Tara Parker-Pope was so interesting to me: Losing Weight by Photoshop

As someone who perpetually strives to be healthy and lean, it’s fascinating—like a train wreck—to see just how amazing cover girls look these days. And even I often forget that hours of time and the talents of multiple people go into making them appear so flawless. But I have nieces, young nieces, who are severely influenced by this so very not new problem, and that’s where my fascination turns into frustration.

Anyway, check out the article and the links in particular from Jezebel—totally engrossing.

An ambulance on tour?

Yep. You heard that correctly. Check out this great (and short) piece about a group in North Dakota who is spreading the urgent message of healthcare reform in its most physical representation: an ambulance.

Read the article here: thedickonsonspress.com
Check out the organization here: facebook.com/changethatworksnd

Press Photo by Beth Wischmeyer

The Nation's Best Health Plans.

Overwhelmed by what’s going on in Congress? Just want to pick a plan for the coming year? I totally understand, which is why I love this list that USNews & World Report has pulled together: America’s Best Health Plans

You can even refine your search and find out just where your current plan lies. Let’s just say that my plan would not be drafted for anyone’s fantasy football league.

Also, found this linked—an article with tips for buying health insurance online.

Is greed a preexisting condition?

I think so. Love this piece by Steve Lopez. It’s not a new story per se, but it is a great look at how we may have to get ultra-personal to show the rest of the U.S. that the status quo on healthcare is frankly unacceptable.

Read here = “Fighting a preexisting condition: greed”

Quick and short health tips: Crohn's disease

From US News & World Report on understanding Crohn’s disease = usnews.com/healthyday

20-years and still fighting hard.

Great piece about Portland Pirates coach Kevin Dineen and his 20-year battle with Crohn’s disease.

“It's nothing to be embarrassed about. It put me in a role-model situation because it showed you could live, function and play a high level physical sport.”

Love it. More here: theforecaster.net

Ola Kino Maika'i.

(that means “good health” in Hawaiian)

What is up Chronic Stylers? Apologies for the delay in posts, but I’ve been in Hawaii for the last week. Look for some good content starting tomorrow.

For now, I’ll just leave you with the super cool poster from the Gidget Pro and my congrats to Carissa Moore who has grown up so fast. I feel like I was just reading about her when she was 12. Man I am old.