Health Check
WDBJ-7 TV (CBS Affiliate, Roanoke)
5 p.m. News, July 16, 2003

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=502-11 55:37]
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In health check tonight,
A local family chooses an experimental therapy to help their son with crohn's disease.
The Fifer's say it's Jordan's only hope at a normal life.
[ANCHOR=JEAN 2 shot]

Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton joins us with details
[ANCHOR=Joy 2 shot]

Jean, 13 year old Jordan Fifer will soon become the youngest patient in the nation to get a stem cell transplant for crohn's disease.
[ANCHOR=JOY FULL]
[SUPER=@JOY1;]
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For doctors involved in this pre-clinical trial study it's a chance to investigate the effectiveness and side effects of the experimental treatment.
But for Jordan's family it's an opportunity to cure him of the disease.
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[IN Q=Jordan Fifer is preparing for a stem cell transplant]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;00]
[SUPER=07-Jordan Fifer;14]
[SUPER=01-Hope Fifer/Jordan's Mom;31]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Joan Fisher/Carilion Pediatric Hematology-Oncology;45]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Michael Hart/Carilion Pediatric Gastroenterology;1:11]
[SUPER=01-Gary Fifer/Jordan's Dad;1:25 Quick]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=few months just me]
(( Jordan Fifer is preparing for a stem cell transplant at the end of the month at Chicago's Childrens Memorial Hospital.
If it works it will mean a life free of the inflammatory bowel disease that has plagued his life for three years.
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[SOT41:12]
[IN Q=I get use ot things like cramping and taking]
((I GET USE TO THINGS LIKE CRAMPING AND TAKING PILLS A LOT AND I NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THAT DAY))
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[OUT Q=that]

His condition is so severe, his parents say it was an easy decision to try the experimental therapy.
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[SOT59:37]
[IN Q=He's a young child just getting on with his life]
((HE'S A YOUNG CHILD JUST GETTING ON WITH HIS LIFE NOW AND THIS IS NOW LIFE)) [RUNS06]
[OUT Q=is no life]

The stem cell transplant works by essentially giving Jordan a new immune system.
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[SOT41:54]
[IN Q=For him it's wiping out the cell that are doing bad thing]
((FOR HIM IT'S WIPING OUT CELLS THAT ARE DOING BAD THINGS TO HIS BODY. STARTING FROM ZERO WITH HOPES THAT THOSE CELLS THAT RECONSTITUTE WILL NOT AGAIN PRODUCE THE CROHN'S DISEASE)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=produce the crohn's disease]

Jordan will be able to use his own stem cells --which are taken from his blood --and put back into his body after he has undergone extensive chemotherapy. While Jordan will be the youngest person to receive the procedure -- it has been used a few young adults.
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[SOT53:53]
[IN Q=As of this moment]
((AS OF THIS MOMENT THESE CHILDREN ARE OFF THEIR MEDICATION WITHOUT COMPLICATIONS AND EATING A REGULAR DIET. IT IS TRULY REMARKABLE)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=truly remarkable]

There is chance of bleeding, infection, and even death, but Jordan and his parents are willing to risk it.
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[SOT1:08:30]
[IN Q=You want to give your child the]
((YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR CHILD THE BEST SHOT AT THE BEST FUTURE)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q=at the best future]
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[SOT48:44]
[IN Q=Hopefully I might be helping people donw the road]
((HOPEFULLY I MIGHT BE HELPING PEOPLE DOWN THE ROAD IF NOT IN A FEW MONTHS JUST ME)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=in a few months just me]))
[ANCHOR=Joy Full]

For more information about Jordan or the fund set up to help pay for his medical expenses you can find a link on our web page at wdbj7.com.
[ANCHOR=Jean/Joy 2 shot]