Bart Starr took part in stem cell trial

Link to TDog's post

If Bart Starr's stem-cell therapy works, the assist may go to @JerryKramer64GB. #Packers Blog: http://t.co/6BsltwciDU pic.twitter.com/MB9nl91u4v

— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) June 17, 2015

From the link in that tweet

Before departing on the Packers annual Tailgate Tour this spring, Favre’s former teammate, Jerry Kramer, revealed that he’d done some research on his own on stem-cell treatments after reading about hockey legend Gordie Howe’s family turned to stem cells after Howe suffered a stroke in October, 2014. Howe’s family believes the stem-cell therapy made a significant difference for the 86-year-old.

 

Kramer said he reached out to Starr’s wife, Cherry, and son, Bart Jr., in hopes of helping his old friend.

I recall reading about Howe and the stem cell therapy.

C'mon Wilde, don't stick poor old Kramer with TOG. FF

I had posted about Gordie and Bart a while back (https://packers.timesfour.com/t...2#442795680686342792).

Didn't know about Jerry's role nor that Bart was trying the treatment. Here's hoping for the best.

Thinking about this, everything I've ever heard about Gordie is that he is the nicest, most genuine guy, especially with fans of all ages.  Explaining in part how he picked up the nickname "Mr. Hockey". Universally revered. 

Just like Bart. It would be the ultimate karma if both these men and their families benefited in some small way from this treatment.

If Bart is participating in a legit clinical trial ( and I hope he is) then its a different treatment than what Gordie went to Tijuana for

Best wishes for his full recovery; Packer Nation is praying for you Bart

We want to see Starr, Favre & Rodgers in the same photo. Maybe sprinkle in Dickey & Majik

Maybe I am selfish, but I wouldn't mind seeing those three together on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field on TV. 

Or in Lambeau, say on or about Feb 9th, 2016.

Packer Fact:

Thirty years after the Packers' Arnie Herber led the NFL in passing in 1932, 1934 and 1936,

the Packers' Bart Starr led the league in 1962, 1964 and 1966.

Best wishes Bart!

Well as far as passing yards these were the leaders:

1992 Dan Marino

1994 Drew Bledsoe

1996 Mark Brunell

(Favre led league in 1995 and 1998).

I've never met Bart. I'll probably never meet him. I've only met Paul and Jerry. They loved Bart. 

If you subscribe to such things. The hug Vince will eventually give to Bart will be equal parts thanks, I've missed you, and I need you to start. 

Poetic.

I'm curious if Starr is even getting the experimental stem cells.  I'm not in the medical/healthcare/research field but have had plenty of family and friends sign up for these trials (ie: cancer, hep C, among others) and every one of them were warned of the control group: half the population gets the drug, but half gets a placebo.  And they don't tell you which group you are in.  The article doesn't mention anything about that so I wonder if they missed it.  That, or maybe this treatment is at a different stage.  

No matter what, I really hope Starr gets well.  He's what every athlete should strive to be both on and off the field.  

There's 99 stem cell trials going on right now if you search under ischemic stroke

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2...ke&Search=Search

Double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials are the gold standard right now, so while its disappointing to get tossed into the placebo group- its a very necessary part of drug/therapy development.

And in many cases, they'll offer compassionate use to the placebo group of the trial once its completed. Placebo shows a positive response in nearly every trial - the mere thought that you are getting better helps. So they have to tease out what the treatment did vs what sugar pills + the attention of a doctor can deliver.

Good luck to Bart and his family - Starr solved the unsolvable at least once before...

How cool would it be if Bart turned to the Doctor and said:

" OK, Then run it and let's get the hell out of here" 

@WesHod: Nice chat with Bart Starr Jr in Madison. Said dad is doing well. Next round of stem-cell treatment is scheduled for September.

 

@RobDemovsky: Caught up /Bart Starr Jr. Said his dad is scheduled to undergo 2nd stem-cell treatment in Sept. Has made great progress as we saw last night.

Cross-posted from another thread:

"Originally Posted by CoPackFan:

 

Here is the Bart/Cherry video!

 

http://www.packers.com/media-c...w&adbpr=35865630 "

 

It sure seems like stem cell technology could be a game changer like antibiotics were a hundred years ago.

I told my now college sophomore son that as long as he was going into biology, he should either focus on next generation anti-microbials or stem cells. And learn a programming language or two.

More good news.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/...-treatment/30540473/

Bart Starr had quite a meal Tuesday morning in Alabama — three pancakes and an omelet with three eggs and cheese.

It was made by his wife Cherry, his bride of 61 years. And it didn’t take him long to eat it.

“He fed himself the entire breakfast,” Cherry Starr said. “It was great.”

It was a small but significant moment for Starr, the legendary former Green Bay Packers quarterback. Before he underwent an experimental stem cell treatment in June, Starr, 81, could barely walk or feed himself. His condition had deteriorated after suffering a heart attack, two strokes and a four seizures in September.

But now he can walk and eat unaided, seemingly sparked back to his feet with the help of this treatment.

“It’s just been really exciting to witness,” Cherry Starr told USA TODAY Sports. “Some of it might have been natural. It might have happened without the stem cells to some degree. But there’s no question that has absolutely helped him, and some of his cognition has improved rather dramatically really. He can do things like tie his shoes. He’s feeding himself. He can read. I could go on and on about a lot of things that we’re witnessing that are really, really exciting to us.”

She said Starr received an infusion of 90 million stem cells in June, when he traveled to the San Diego area for treatment. During the trip, they also met with two other sports heroes who previously received similar treatments: hockey great Gordie Howe, 87, and former San Francisco 49ers quarterback John Brodie, 79.

It was quite a moment — three iconic former athletes disabled by strokes but brought together by their faith in an experimental new medicine that has not yet been approved for widespread use in the U.S...

Great news on Bart.

Bart Starr is back on course to make it to Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving night.

 

“If it were tomorrow, he’d be there,” Starr's wife, Cherry, said Monday.

 

That’s a big statement, because early last month the odds didn’t look good for Starr’s historic return to Green Bay. The 81-year-old Packers icon is scheduled to appear with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers at the unveiling of Favre’s retired No. 4 on the Lambeau bowl façade at halftime of the team’s game against the Chicago Bears in what, if Starr can attend, promises to be one of the most electric moments in franchise history.

 

In early September, Starr’s chances of appearing at the ceremony sustained a major setback. About a year after the heart attack and multiple strokes that had debilitated him, Starr suffered a life-threatening lung infection. Although he was able to leave the hospital after four days, the illness undid much of the progress he’d made since his first round of an experimental stem cell treatment in June.

 

But after his return home, Starr embarked on a rehabilitation program that in the last several weeks has him back to nearly the same condition as before the infection. He’s scheduled for his second stem-cell treatment in about 10 days, and barring another setback, everything’s a go for the Thanksgiving celebration.

 

“We feel great about it happening, better than ever,” Cherry Starr said in a phone interview...

http://www.packersnews.com/sto...e-ceremony/74636228/

I can't remember the last time I cried.

But I think I know when the next time will be.

Great to hear that he's on track to make it to the ceremony but that story was sad to read. Doesn't sound like Bart has much time left and his appearance in Lambeau one last time will feel like it's saying goodbye to the man

When the Packers win the Super Bowl?

Meh, that's old hat.

Now if I were a Viking fan ...

I just wonder what being back in the comfy familiar confines of Lambeau will do for the champion.  What neural connections will fire that haven't been sparked in a while...  I sure hope he can make it.  Will be the loudest, proudest emotional holler I've probably ever given there.

And I'll admit it, part of me worries the ovation may overwhelm him in a not good way.  But I guess there's no place like home for that.

I feel so strange about this. Bart isn't supposed to die—he's a god! God's can't die. This is kind of a surreal situation for me.

I first met Bart when he was at the height of his playing days. He came to my church and talked to a bunch of us junior high kids. He was so inspirational because, well, he was Bart Starr, but also because he didn't talk down to us. He talked to us as if we were human (not teenagers). I can't think of a better example of a Gentleman. 

Like I said, gods aren't supposed to die. Hang in there!

I've always been in awe of the affect Bart had on (most likely) everyone he met.

Football fans knew who Johnny U. was.

The world  knows who Bart Starr is!

Great QBs never die.  They just fade back and pass away. 

It is great you have met him.  I never had the opportunity but would have liked to. 

(That is something I've told people a few times in my life) 

I remember Starr when he was the best in the game. Until very recently, he was the best QB to ever play for the Packers. I'll always remember that smile and his controlled emotions, at least that's how it seemed to us fans. 

The sad reality. 

However, his planned Thanksgiving night appearance at Lambeau Field "will probably be our last trip to Green Bay,” Cherry Starr said.

— Jeff Ash (@JeffAshPG) October 27, 2015

 Hoping we get one lasting impression and that smile from the legend.

Bart Starr, who is 81, has cognitive, speech and mobility issues. If all he does is smile and wave from the cart, that'll be great.

— Jeff Ash (@JeffAshPG) October 27, 2015

Bart has had a second stem cell treatment.  Link below: 

http://lacrossetribune.com/new...f3-00c9c5740eba.html

The NFL would love nothing more than Bart Starr at Lambeau Field for this game. They will promote it to no end to drive the ratings. 

So If I find out the NFL contributed dick to Bart's medical costs to help make it happen I'm going to **** in a plastic bag and FedEx it to NFL HQ attention Rodger Goodell and include a card. 

Bart is the player that got his coaches name on THE trophy. The fact that Bart had to go to Mexico tells me I need a plastic bag. 

He was in Tijuana yesterday or so the local news reported on it.  They interviewed some doctors on the issue of healing via stem-cells.  I think it's just a matter of time and you will see it legal in the USA.   I'm not sure if Obama-Care will cover it, however.

The GBPG with an update:

http://www.packersnews.com/sto...5d87392bc3c3e0ca00b3

Plus, this:

Please join us Monday at 10 @tmj4 to tell Bart & Cherry Starr's inspirational story back to @LambeauField #Packers pic.twitter.com/5EKr08cvdT

— Lance Allan (@lanceallan) November 21, 2015

This is GREAT news!

Look up "greatness" in the dictionary, and you will see a picture of Bart Starr.  My idol when I was 12, my idol in my 60s.  Greatness personified.  God bless him. I will be watching on Thursday night with tears in my eyes.

Must watch.

Will Bart Starr be able to make @Packers ceremony for @Favre4Official? @SteveMariucci had dinner with Bart last week https://t.co/7pRMCaxos3

— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) November 24, 2015

the weather is gonna play it's part in this as well.  currently looking at a very rainy day in GB on Thursday that's supposed to turn to snow when the sun goes down.  can't really see Bart rolling out on the field in those conditions...

Played through a serious back sprain at Bama. 

Fell all the way to Green Bays lap in the 17th round of the draft. 

Leader for the most demanding coach the NFL has ever seen

Played in some of the coldest games in NFL history 

Suffered through a heart attack, seizures, and several strokes

Traveled outside the US for stem cell treatment. 

I don't think a little inclement weather is any concern for Bart Starr. 

What an extraordinary man. 

I hope you're right Chilli.  After reading that article about him and how his disposition changes after the sun goes down - a common symptom of what he's dealing with - I'm concerned for him.  My hope is that the familiar surroundings of Lambeau Field are just what the doctor ordered and soothe everything he's dealing with.

My Bart stories which I've shared here before. When I was 13 my brother and I were hanging out at the field before practice during playoff season for autographs. Almost no other kids were there. Vince blew us off, telling us "After practice, boys," but he was nowhere to be found then. Many players signed and I still have the scraps of paper from Willie Davis, Jerry Kramer, etc. Bart, on the other hand, signed and stopped to talk to us, asked us our names, how we were doing in school, etc. Bart Starr? Stunned we were.

Fast forward to the '80s. I had moved to California, and was taking a flight home alone, going from Green Bay to Chicago and then on the LA. Get to the gate and there is Bart himself, alone, looking around warily as he had gone through his years as a coach and didn't look like he thought people would be kind to him. Sure enough, Bart ends up sitting right next to me. I thanked him for the great example he was to me my whole life, his slogan, "Anything worth doing is worth doing well," and it's impact on me. Told him he inspired me to play QB (though not as well as he did) and other things. He was kind, gracious, engaged, just like he was when I was a kid. I thanked him for taking that approach to me and my brother when we were younger, and told him I thought Dave Begal from the JSO was out of line (He was a sports reporter who seemed to have it in for Bart). 

Glad to see that since that struggle as Packer coach fans have forgot about all that and realized what a gem this man was on and off the field. Sure hope he can get out there Thursday if only to wave...