Page 6-The Canadian Jewish News, Thureday, January 9, 1992
M-T
MS patient
Bv
FRANCES KRAFT
TORONTO -
"it's unbelievable." said Dov Keren-Ya'ar, when he saw Perla Arditti for the first lime in eight months during a recent interview at the offices of the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science. Arditti's animated use of her hands, the ease with which she crossed, uncrossed and recrossed her legs, and her positive energy were all subjects of Keren-Ya'ar's fascination.
Keren-Ya'ar. director, department of overseas co-ordination at the Weiz-man Institute, first met Arditti when she visitwl Israel on a UJA mission in 1989. At that time multiple sclerosis had severely sapped Arditti's energy and affected her ability to walk.
As a result of that meeting, Arditti learned about an experimentaLdrug developed at Weizmann by three scientists. COP-1. a synthetic combination of the amino acids found in myelin (the protective nerve covering damaged by MS), is given by daily injection. It suppresses the creation of cells which attack the myelin in the "exacerbating remitting" form of MS.
"It isn't going to work for everybody." says Arditti. who was care-ftilly screened before being approved by Hadassah Hospital for use of the still-experinriental drug.
Aside from travel expenseis and the cost of the COP-1 (until it receives FDA approval, no medical plan will cover the cost), the.only known drawback is the possibility of miid irrita-. tion or itching at the injection site. Arditti rotates injection sites to avoid that problem.
Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries bought the rights to COP-1
Perla Arditti
from Weizmann. Clinical trials are now being conducted in 11 centries, including the Albert*Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
As part of the experimental program being conducted at Hadassah Hospital. Arditti was taught to inject herself with CGP-1 last April. She was given a supply of the drug to take back to Canada, along with the documentation that allowed her to "just waltz right through" customs.
Arditti returned to Israelin CJctober for. a six-month cHeck-up, which showed a 75.to 80 percent improye-ment in her condition.
"1 didn't know she could talk so"" fast — and so miich." said Keren-Ya'ar. his own voice rising in pitch and intensity as he marveled at the
change.
"Six to eight months ago I was hardly walking," Arditti told The CJN. "Last year 1 was in a wheelchair [at Skydbme]." said the 32-year-old baseball enthusiast. "This summer I walked the whole Dome with the assistance of my cane and nothing else. I've got a lot more energy than 1 had before, and I'm feeling great."
Arditti had battled MS for almost 10 years when she began taking COP-1. The first three years were the worst for her as the illness progressed rapidly, leaving Arditti paralyzed on her right side for eight months and requiring frequent hospital stays before the illness went into remission, "h was very frustrating," said Arditti. who played racquetball competitively in university.
' 'This drag [COP-1 ] is supposed to keep you from getting worse. It won't cure [MS]. It won't take it away," says Arditti.
Despite her MS, Arditti ruiis two businesses, importing Brazilian objets d'art and a line of Israeli clothing. She also freelances as a mortgage broker and is actively involved with the United Jewish Appeal. A native of St. John, New Brunswick, she has lived in Toronto since 1982.
By ironic coincidence, Arditti's brother was diagnosed with MS three years ago. He is not a candidate for COP-1.
"We wouldn't like to give others false hopes," said Keren-Ya'ar, emphasizing how important it is to be cautious at this stage of testing.
Yet results such as Arditti's inspire Keren-Ya'ar and spur continued research. "If you need justification for everything you are doing day and night [as part of your job at Weizmann), you have, the stQiy of Peria Arditti,'' said Keren-Ya'ar.
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U.S. justice department
survivors
NEW YORK -
The Department of Justice has requested the assistance of the World Jewish Congress in locating survivors of the Holocaust from two areas of Lithuania.
The Department's Office of Special Investigations is charged with locating and prosecuting individuals in the United States who had participated in acts of Nazi persecution during World War II,
It is currently investigating a case involving the persecution and murder of civilians in the town of Joniskis in the summer of 1941.
It is also investigating events surrounding the persecution and murder of civilians in the separate village of Joniske-lis between 1941 and 1943.
Individuals who can be of assistance in these investigations are asked to coritaci: Mr. Sidney Gruber. World Jewish Congress. 501 Madison Avenue. New York. NY 10022. Telephone: (212) 755-5770.
Any information provided will be kept in strictest confidence. Both English and non-Engksh , sjieaking witnesses are welcome.
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