AlloSource Partners With Nonprofit To Save Lives A Continent Away Through Tissue Donation

CENTENNIAL, Colo., May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AlloSource, one of the nation's largest non-profit providers of skin, bone and soft tissue allografts for use in surgical procedures and the world's largest processor of cellular bone allografts, announced their teaming up with the Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS) to enhance lives in underserved communities.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130502/DC01409)

Through the relationship, AlloSource hopes to honor the gift of donation by providing advanced medical options to children in underserved communities outside of the United States.  This will allow the gift of donated tissue to have a far-reaching impact, as it did for two children, Vivian and Julius, in The Republic of Ghana who are now running and playing with their peers after suffering from crippling and life-threatening conditions.

At age two, Vivian was paralyzed with early-onset scoliosis.  After being told for nearly a decade that nothing could be done, Vivian's mother located a doctor and FOCOS volunteer who thought otherwise.  Treated with AlloSource-donated cortical and cancellous chips, six surgeries later, Vivian is an active and carefree 11-year-old girl.

Seven-year-old Julius suffered from extra pulmonary tuberculosis. This disease quickly damaged his spine, leaving Julius paralyzed.  After a life-saving surgery also using cortical and cancellous chips, Julius returned to his village a happy, active and healthy boy.

Through AlloSource's contribution, more than 35 complex spine procedures were completed on patients ranging in age from four to 57.  The tissue supplied by AlloSource allows FOCOS to provide affordable, lifesaving treatments and procedures not otherwise offered to patients in the region. 

"Tissue donation is less understood than organ donation," said Thomas Cycyota, President and CEO of AlloSource.  "Not many people realize that tissue can also have life-saving benefits.  We are thrilled that Vivian and Julius will now live as healthy and active children.  Thanks to FOCOS, the gift of donation was able to save lives a continent away."

FOCOS provides comprehensive, affordable care to underserved communities throughout Africa.  The recent opening of the FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital in Ghana, West Africa, provides the local community with a state of the art facility and access to world-leading medical professionals.

"Together, AlloSource and FOCOS are saving lives and helping the world to stand tall once again," said Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, FOCOS Founder and President.  "We rely on the financial and in-kind support from organizations like AlloSource, for without this support, our work would not be possible."

AlloSource and FOCOS plan to work together in the future to continue providing life-saving and life-enhancing medical services to underserved communities in Africa.  Through their joint efforts, they hope to save many children like Vivian and Julius.

About AlloSource
AlloSource is a non-profit company that offers more than 200 types of precise bone, skin, soft-tissue and custom-machined allografts for use in an array of life-saving and life-enhancing medical procedures. As the world's leader in fresh cartilage tissue used for joint repair and skin allografts to heal severe burns, AlloSource has grown into one of the largest tissue networks in the country with more than 400 employees. It is the world's largest processor of cellular bone allografts and delivers unparalleled expertise and customer service to its growing network of surgeons, partners and the country's most reputable organ procurement organizations. As one of the leading innovators in maximizing tissue donation with the goal of offering optimal solutions for healthcare providers and their patients, AlloSource is recognized by the medical community for its ability to process and provide high quality tissue. The company is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and is headquartered in Centennial, CO. For more information, please visit www.allosource.org or our educational website, allograftpossibilities.org.

Media Contact:
Sarah Flowers
AlloSource
720. 317. 2922
[email protected]

SOURCE AlloSource