China trip gives St. Charles man hope

Dave Ozzello's walking cane isn't getting much use these days. As for his skis, well, that's a different story.

The St. Charles man, who has battled multiple sclerosis for 31 years, reports a drastic reduction in symptoms since going to China in August for umbilical cord stem cells.

His energy's up. His balance is better. And this week the 51-year-old was hitting the slopes in Colorado.

"I have not used my cane since I came back," Ozzello said of the treatment, not yet available in the United States.

"Does it cure the disease? Absolutely not," said Ozzello, who first told his story to the Daily Herald in July. "But I absolutely would go back and do it again."

Research suggests cord blood stem cells are particularly useful in treating auto-immune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes and lymphoma, where the body essentially attacks itself.

While the cells haven't been shown to cure these conditions, some medical experts believe they are capable of at least slowing symptoms by replacing damaged cells with ones capable of new growth.

Ozzello received four injections over four weeks in China.

The treatment, which costs $19,500, is considered experimental, but having received similar injections in other countries, Ozzello said he knew the benefits and had "high expectations."

After the first two injections, given intravenously, Ozzello said he immediately recognized an improvement in his balance. The other two, given directly into the spine, took some time to net noticeable differences.

While he still uses a brace on his right leg, Ozzello said, the circulation to his feet has returned. He's even felt good enough to shovel the drive.

Generally, he said, "I just feel a whole lot better."

Ozzello said it's been nice not needing his cane, though he did use it once to move a clock hanging up high in the kitchen.

The former competitive skier -- who spoke to us shortly before Christmas --planned to spend the holiday in the Rocky Mountains, where he was to hit the slopes for the first time since returning from China.

"I can guarantee you I'll do all right," he said.