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STEMCELLS-ESSAY Mar-19-2007 (680 words) With photo. xxxn
Sixth-grader's essay personalizes benefits of adult stem cells
By Cecile San Agustin
Catholic News Service
SPARTA, N.J. (CNS) -- In a recent essay on stem cells, 12-year-old Erik Massenzio managed to make the church's teaching crystal clear: embryonic stem-cell use is morally unacceptable, while adult stem-cell use is acceptable and is saving lives now.
The sixth-grader was writing from personal experience in "Adult Stem Cells Saved My Mom's Life," which took first place this year in a writing contest sponsored by the Respect Life Committee at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Sparta.
Two years ago, Erik's mother, Hedy, was diagnosed with leukemia. The outlook appeared bleak for her. But through an adult stem-cell transplant, which the young student describes in his essay, his mother was healed. Today, Hedy Massenzio is cancer-free.
Erik said he "knew right away what to write about" when he and his schoolmates in grades 6-8 at Rev. George Brown School in Sparta were asked to write an essay on "How could a compassionate Catholic be against embryonic stem-cell research and yet support adult stem-cell research?"
"It was my mom that inspired me to write this essay," he added.
"We were all very touched by his essay. I cried and I knew of his mother's story," said Lucia McKeeby, a member of the Respect Life Committee who conceived the idea for the poster/essay contest. She is also a fourth-grade teacher at Rev. Brown School.
"With such a complicated topic, he also made it so simple. He made it easy for me to understand using his own personal example," McKeeby told The Beacon, newspaper of the Paterson Diocese.
In addition to using his personal experiences through his mother's illness, Erik researched the material giving scientific facts by stating the differences between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. His mom, who worked for a chemist, also knew information about the subject.
In Erik's essay, he points out that embryonic stem cells have yet to benefit humanity, but the benefits of adult stem cells have already made their mark and his mother is proof.
"It is very touching for me that Erik wrote this," said Hedy Massenzio. "The whole experience we went through was a learning experience. I was just glad that he learned something."
While adult stem cells saved Hedy Massenzio's life, Erik wants all to know that prayer is ultimately the most important part of this journey. During his mother's illness, the community of Our Lady of the Lake showed immense support to the Massenzio family through prayer.
"I was extremely sick and it was a really frightening and trying experience for me and the family," she said.
At one point, her illness was so advanced that doctors told her to make final plans. Following that grave news, a healing Mass was held for her and several other parishioners struggling with illnesses.
During the Mass, many laid their hands over Hedy Massenzio in hopes of healing her. The family was extremely moved by the outpouring of love and support by the parishioners and schoolchildren who attended the Mass.
When Hedy Massenzio went to the doctor the next week, he told her she was in remission and the time was right for an adult stem-cell transplant to further help her healing. Through the National Bone Marrow Registry, she was able to find a match.
The donor was a 21-year-old man who lives in Colorado and whom she has never met. "He had even forgotten he was on the registry," she said. "He signed up for it a few years ago for a friend."
Through his stem-cell donation, Hedy Massenzio is now completely healed. Finding a donor was a miracle in itself but the Massenzio family has been given many miracles by seeing firsthand how powerful prayer can be.
Erik hopes his essay will help many more people understand embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
"I'm just glad I could make other people understand and I hope many more people get the message," said Erik, who is considering becoming a doctor or a writer.
END
Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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