This post was written by AHealthBlog through an activation with HireInfluence on behalf of BIOLIFE4D. Although AHealthBlog received compensation for participating in the campaign, all thoughts and opinions are AHealthBlog’s
Heart disease is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the heart which include stroke, heart attack, arrhythmia and angina. Heart disease is the main cause of death in virtually most developed countries worldwide, far more than all the cancers combined, resulting in 1 in out of every 3 deaths. In the U.S., 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men die from heart disease, with 600,000 hoping for a heart transplant and only 5,000 heart transplants a year. Approximately 98% of the people on the heart transplant waiting list didn’t receive a heart transplant in 2017.
Sadly, half of the recipients who receive a lifesaving heart transplant die within 1 year from complications related to organ rejection. Organ rejection happens when the transplanted heart is identified by the recipient’s body as a foreign object. The life-saving transplant then becomes harmful to the recipient. Immunosuppressants are introduced into the recipient’s body to impede organ rejection, but immunosuppressive therapy can increase the risk of infection and other harmful conditions.
But now science has found a way to print a human organ, even a human heart. This is no longer science fiction, it has become science fact.
Creating objects out of plastics and metals making use of 3D printers has been possible for some years now. Nowadays, 3D printing technology is used for producing bones, ears, blood vessels, tissues and other biological structures. Bioprinting is a process that uses 3D printing technologies with the potential to one day print fully functional human organs.
BioLife4D is a pioneering biotech company that is currently developing bioprinting technology, which would allow the 3D printing of a human heart that can be used for transplanting. The patient’s induced pluripotent stem cells are harvested and processed to become specialized cardiac cells. In combination with nutrients and other necessary factors, a bio-ink is created from the iPS cells which is then used in the bioprinter. Organ rejection is minimized with this technology because the resulting 3D-printed heart is made from the recipient’s own cells, and the need for extensive immunosuppressive therapy is eliminated.
Biolife4D is developing some groundbreaking medical technology here, and AHealthBlog is very excited to have the chance to play a small part in helping get the word out about this research. This is an amazing opportunity for all of us to invest in the future of medicine, and how heart transplants will soon be performed. BioLife’s research is funded by private equity and they are looking for investors who are passionate about the research. To learn more about investing in BioLife4D’s research visit BioLife4d.com/invest/.
Biolife4D is planning an equity crowdfunding campaign in Feb where the general public can buy shares of stock and participate in this journey to save lives
With 1 in every 4 people affected by heart disease, we probably all know someone in our circle that will want to help spread the word and help raise funds for their research. Biolife4D has designed the “Act of Heart” challenge to help spread the word and raise funds for their research. WealthyGorilla has challenged AHealthBlog to spread the word about this research by sending a card from heart patient Jack Radandt who was born with a congenital heart defect. Jack had to have 3 heart surgeries before he was 3 years old. At the age of 11, Jack received a heart transplant, and now at 16 years of age, Jack is a strong young man who is a proud advocate for investing into Biolife4D’s innovative technology which will to improve the lives of those like himself.
We were inspired by Jack’s story and we will be sending a card of encouragement to a patient in a hospital and we challenge you to do the same and engage in an act of kindness while helping to create awareness and raise necessary funds to support the research that will ultimately help save lives. Help us create awareness of the research by joining AHealthBlog in the “Act of Heart” challenge.
Challenge cards of encouragement can be mailed to:
Texas Children’s Hospital
ATTN: Volunteer Services
6621 Fannin Street, Suite A1125
Houston, TX 77030
