Joost undergoes Stem Cell therapy, procedure “first of its kind” in South Africa, supported by SARLA's president, Gavin Varejes- http://www.netcells.co.za/documents/press-releases/2011-08-23.pdf

1. SARLA Led by Gavin Varejes
Supports Cutting-Edge Stem Cell
Research

2. Neuro-degeneration
• Neuro-degeneration is a term that
covers the systematic deterioration of
neurons.
• Neuro-degenerative diseases include
Alzheimer's, Huntington's,
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
and Parkinson's.

3. Motor Neuron Diseases
• Motor neuron diseases are neuro-
degenerative diseases that specifically
target motor neurons.
• ALS is one of the five most common
motor neuron diseases and the only
classified type that affects both the
upper and lower motor neurons.
• ALS is often classified on its own.

4. Stem Cell Therapy as Potential
Treatment
• It is surmised that stem cell therapy can
be beneficial to sufferers of neuro-
degenerative motor neuron diseases.
• Despite controversy, research in this field
continues.

5. Stem Cell Research
What are stem cells?
• Stem cells are unique cells found in
organisms with multiple cells.
• Stem cells are capable of self
regeneration.
• Stem cells continuously multiply by
division.

6. How are stem cells useful?
• Most diseases occur due to malfunction
of cells, incorrect multiplication or cell
death.
• Stem cell research is a field of scientific
discovery with the goal of using stem cells
to repair damaged tissue and combat
disease.

7. Joost van der Westhuizen
• Joost van der Westhuizen is a former
scrum-half for the South African
Springbok rugby team.
• He is known for his heroic defence in the
1995 Rugby World Cup and his
impressive contribution to South African
rugby over a period of ten years.

8. Stark Diagnosis
• Joost van der Westhuizen was diagnosed
with ALS motor neuron disease in 2011
after his muscular health started
declining.
• ALS is a neuro-degenerative condition
with a fatality rate of 80% in a period of
two to five years.

9. Stem Cell Therapy for ALS
• After being diagnosed with ALS and
realising the bleak prognosis, Joost van
der Westhuizen and his doctor,
Specialist Neurologist Dr Jody Pearl,
started researching potential
treatments.

10. • With the support of his medical team,
Gavin Varejes and the South African
Rugby Legends Association (SARLA), van
der Westhuizen opted for revolutionary
stem cell treatment aimed at cell
regeneration.

11. The Procedure
Joost Van der Westhuizen underwent the
following procedure:
• Fat tissue was collected through minor surgery.
• Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated by Netcells
Cryogenics.
• The therapeutic product was prepared with a
patented technique.
• The product was administered intravenously and
intra-muscularly.

12. Pioneering Treatment
• Stem cell treatment like this is the first of
its kind in South Africa and is only made
possible for individuals like van der
Westhuizen by the continued financial
backing received from individuals and
organisations like Gavin Varejes and
SARLA.

13. South African Rugby Legends
Association
• SARLA is a non-profit organisation
formed by Gavin Varejes and former
Springbok John Alan. The organisation
comprises of a group of ex-Springbok
players and has the objective of raising
funds and providing developmental
support to rugby players.

14. Gavin Varejes and SARLA's
Commitment to Stem Cell Research
• Gavin Varejes and SARLA have undertaken
to support Joost van der Westhuizen in his
plight and to provide financial backing for
the treatment derived from ground
breaking stem cell research with the
objective of alleviating van der
Westhuizen's condition and bringing hope
to other sufferers of the disease.