ALS Patient Story

Inside a Patient's Battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and the Hope That Brought Her to Longevity Medical Institute

At Longevity Medical Institute, some of the most important moments don't happen in treatment rooms. They happen in the eyes of a patient's loved ones. They happen in the quiet moments between therapy sessions. They happen when families make a brave decision to fight for more time - even when the odds feel impossibly steep.

This is one of those moments.

Meet Gina Derry and Her Entire Family

Gina Derry is 51 years old, a wife and mother of two from Iowa, and is bravely battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and devastating neurological disease that attacks motor neurons and strips away the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually, breathe - while the mind remains painfully alert and aware.

But Gina is not facing this battle alone.

She arrived at Longevity Medical Institute supported by her husband, Jason, her children, MacKenzie and Maxwell, and her brother and sister-in-law all of whom stayed by her side during during her full two-week treatment protocol in one of our clinic condos.

This wasn't just a medical visit. It was a family's act of hope, determination, and love.

Understanding ALS: A Global and Urgent Crisis

ALS affects more than 300,000 people worldwide. With no known cure, most patients are given, on average, 36 months to live after diagnosis.

In the U.S., there are only a few FDA-approved drugs offering only marginal, short-term benefits that come with significant side effects. Worse, access to experimental therapies like stem cells is extremely limited, bound by strict clinical trial criteria and long delays.

But ALS does not wait. That's why patients like Gina, and families like the Derrys, took action.

And that's why we do what we do.

Our Clinical Approach: Expertise That Meets Urgency

We don’t claim to offer a cure for ALS. But we do offer hope that is grounded in science and driven by purpose.

Our comprehensive approach is designed to:

• Slow the progression of neurodegeneration through targeted, regenerative strategies
• Reduce inflammation in the nervous system, aiming to protect what remains
• Support neurogenesis - encouraging the brain and spinal cord’s capacity for repair and regeneration
• Preserve and restore motor function where possible
• Enhance quality of life through personalized, integrative therapies
• Give back time, dignity, and control - because every moment matters

This is more than symptom management. It’s a fight for function, for independence, and for the possibility of progress.

Clinical Spotlight: A Multidisciplinary Team Built for Complex Conditions

At Longevity Medical Institute, no patient faces their journey alone. Our collaborative approach ensures that each case, especially ones as complex as ALS, is treated from every possible medical angle. Our team includes:

• Dr. Félix Porras MD, Medical Director
• Dr. Fergie Martínez MD, Chief of Regenerative Medicine
• Dr. Hugo Ramos MD, Director of Advanced Imaging and Regenerative Diagnostics
• Dr. Esmeralda Sanchez MD, Anesthesiology
• Dr Antonio Flores Morgado MD, Cardiology
• Dr Marco Porras MD, Internal Medicine

This internal and external collaboration enables us to build comprehensive, medically-sound treatment plans that are deeply informed by real-world experience, cross-specialty insight, and the latest in international research.

The Treatment Plan: What We Do and Why It Matters

Gina's personalized treatment included two critical modes of regenerative therapy over the course of two-weeks:

1. IV Stem Cells + Exosomes + Peptides + Nutraceuticals — Delivered in Multiple Sessions

This powerful intravenous protocol is designed to work systemically—targeting not just symptoms, but the underlying biological environment contributing to ALS progression. Each session aims to:

• Reduce systemic inflammation, which plays a critical role in neurodegeneration
• Modulate the immune system to create a more protective and less hostile environment for neurons
• Support whole-body tissue repair and cellular communication
• Promote neuroprotective signaling and regenerative potential, including support for neurogenesis

By combining advanced biologics and precision supplements, this therapy lays the groundwork for resilience—helping the body do what it was designed to do: protect, repair, and adapt.

Clinical Note: IV stem cells are too large to cross the blood-brain barrier. That means they can support systemic recovery but cannot reach the brain or spinal cord where ALS does its most severe damage. That's why we also performed something more advanced.

2. Intrathecal Stem Cell Injection

This procedure involves injecting stem cells directly into the spinal fluid (CSF). It bypasses the blood-brain barrier and allows stem cells to reach the spinal cord and brain - the exact regions ALS is attacking.

This delivery method allows our therapies to:

• Target the central nervous system directly
• Promote neural tissue repair
• Stimulate neuroprotective and regenerative processes
• Provide more focused support to motor neurons

Intrathecal injection is more invasive, but for a disease this aggressive, it's necessary.

The Power of Stem Cells in ALS

Stem cells reduce inflammation, calm immune overactivation, and release trophic factors (healing signals) that can protect remaining neurons and potentially regenerate them through neurogenesis.

Combined with exosomes—cell-free messengers that further promote healing—this approach helps create a more supportive environment in the central nervous system.

It's not about curing the disease. It's about preserving function, slowing loss, and restoring what we can.

Watch the Story Unfold: A Rare Look Inside

This month, we're honored to share a special video that captures Gina's journey, including a look inside her actual procedures. You'll meet the family.

I Know It’s Science, But Sometimes It Feels Like a Miracle

In one of the most striking moments of Gina’s journey, we see her during the early stages of treatment and again one week later. When she first arrived at LMI, her voice is barely audible, each word a struggle as ALS tightens its grip on her ability to speak. But six days later and 48 hours after the intrathecal injection of stem cells and exosomes, the change is astonishing: she is stronger physically and speaks with clear emotion, expressing exactly what’s on her mind.

"I feel alive, vibrant, hopeful, and happy"

- Gina Derry's own words

It’s a moment that defies expectations and powerful proof that while the treatment is grounded in science, its impact can feel nothing short of miraculous.

For some patients, regenerative medicine is about optimization and prevention. For others, like Gina, it's about giving a mother more time to hug her children, speak to her husband, and face the future with dignity.

We take that responsibility seriously. We invite you to join us in honoring the Derry family's courage and to remember:

- Every patient has a story.
- Every day matters.
- And hope, when paired with action, is a powerful thing.

Spotlight: Expanding Hope Beyond ALS

While our regenerative protocols are tailored to support individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the science behind these therapies extends far beyond a single diagnosis. The same advanced strategies that promote neuroprotection, reduce inflammation, and support neural repair in ALS patients may also provide meaningful benefits to those facing other neurodegenerative conditions—such as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.

By targeting core mechanisms of neurodegeneration, our protocols are designed to slow disease progression, improve quality of life, and unlock the body’s innate capacity for regeneration. Whether you or a loved one are navigating ALS or another complex neurological condition, our team is here to offer cutting-edge solutions rooted in science, compassion, and innovation.

If you’d like to learn more or find support resources, we encourage you to visit the ALS Association at: www.als.org