Shay McBurney: Executive Director, MedRebels Foundation

By Caroline Cox

The nonprofit MedRebels Foundation brings awareness to the benefits of regenerative medicine and adult stem cell therapies. The “rebel” in their name is a call to action for physicians and anti-stem cell research groups to be open-minded when it comes to adult stem cells. These controversial therapies have been proven to help hip, knee, spinal and orthopedic problems and don’t involve the use of embryonic stem cells. Two medical product and research companies primarily fund the organization.

As executive director, McBurney works to lead a “health-focused revolution” showing the immediate benefits of adult stem cell therapy with minimal risks. The process of extracting stem cells from bone marrow can be done within an hour and recovery time is significantly less compared to surgery. Though it’s been well received in other countries, the Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve this treatment. McBurney is passionate about allowing the body to heal itself rather than using devices made out of plastic or metal plates. She hopes to educate more people about their options and, above all, get better and stay better.

PINK: What inspired the start of this organization?

SM: There is still a lot of misinformation regarding adult stem cells. The possibility that one day adult stem cell procedures will be an option for all is what drives us to continue. Since forming almost one year ago, hundreds of people have benefitted from our organization in some way.

PINK: What’s been your proudest moment?

SM: Lizzy, one of the patients featured on our website, is a healthy, active mid-30s woman. She was told she needed major hip surgery [due to a muscle tear]. Financially, she couldn’t miss six weeks of work to recover, nor did she want to quit running – she’d run five to seven miles regularly. She chose to have her own stem cell injected in her hip. It’s been a year and a half and she hasn’t had any pain or hip problems. She continues running and a recent MRI showed her tear is no longer there. People want to get this therapy because they can get injected and go to work the next day. There’s no recovery time needed.

PINK: What methods of outreach to you use?

SM: We are reaching out to community and business leaders, other nonprofits and like-minded organizations as well as universities and schools. In 2012, we hope to fund research projects using adult stem cells while continuing to educate others. We also want to give individuals the confidence to ask questions of their healthcare provider.