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Ken Bernstein
I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I have a lovely wife (Joni) and a beautiful teenage daughter named Allison.
In 1955 at the age of 12 years old, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. For over 49 years I stayed on top of my disease always looking for ways to improve my diabetes management. Despite my efforts the disease was taking its toll. I developed non-proliferate retinopathy and hypoglycemic unawareness. I was slowly loosing the battle.
After years of pump therapy and intense blood sugar testing I researched islet cell transplantation and applied for a series of transplants at the Diabetes Research Institute in Miami. On March 15, 2002, May 30th 2002 and on March 22, 2003 I received islet cell transplants at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and my diabetes is under perfect control for the first time in 49 years. I'm proud to say its been over two years since my last hypoglycemic event.
What's New with Kenny?
In August of this year, Kenny appeared before the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors telling them about his story and encouraging them to support the Stem Cell Initiative on the California November ballot. Both agencies approved the endorsement of the Initiative!
In July (2004) he spoke at the Children with Diabetes Conference with Dr. Luca Inverardi of the DRI.
Also in July he and Gary Kleiman of the Miami5 were interviewed for a documentary on diabetes... more information as to when it will air will be posted soon!
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