As a longtime runner, my knees are an essential part of my training regime as I prepared for grueling endurance races at age 71. When I started experiencing significant knee pain in November 2018 due to damaged patella cartilage, I was determined to find a way to feel better so I would not have to give up my race training.

I was encountering a few additional physical ailments in my feet including blocked arteries, blood clot issues, and poor circulation, which also prevented me from running at full capacity, though my knee pain was the main issue.

I was taking several medications to manage my symptoms and tried Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, but still wanted to find a faster and better way to meet my goal of running a race in the summer of 2019.

I heard about Celltex Therapeutics, a Houston-based biotechnology company specializing in processing one’s own adult stem cells for banking and therapy, through my orthopedist. We attended a seminar in Fort Worth where we heard from other Celltex clients about how they used their own stem cells to improve their quality of life, and also learned more about the process and the company’s proprietary technology from Celltex’s client service team members.

Anxious to resume training for my upcoming race and after conducting additional research and receiving a complete health scan from Celltex’s Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder, Dr. Stanley Jones, I decided to pursue stem cell banking and therapy. I had my own stem cells extracted in an easy procedure, and they were then banked, cryopreserved and expanded in Celltex’s FDA-registered laboratory in Houston.

I was ready to receive therapy at the private, accredited Hospital Galenia in Cancun, Mexico. I’ve now made several trips to Cancun for therapy and each time, the doctors and staff at Hospital Galenia have been extremely friendly, professional and efficient. In total, I have received three rounds of therapy, including IV therapy and direct injections into my foot and knee. I received 50 million of my own stem cells with each round of therapy.

Following therapy, the damage to my patella cartilage has significantly improved – an MRI scan taken before Celltex showed significant fissures and post-therapy, the fissures had disappeared. My blood flow has also increased, reducing the risks of clots.

My team of medical doctors continue to be amazed by my results and improvement. My knee feels 99% better, which is incredible as a runner.

Best of all, I am back to racing. I participated in the Bandera 50K run, and it was one of my best races ever. I set the all-time age group record for 70 and over! I plan to continue therapy by receiving my own stem cells, and my wife will be starting soon as well.

Thank you, Celltex, for being an amazing weapon in my runner’s arsenal and allowing me to continue running and thriving.