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Grandfather works toward cure for MD

WGRZ-TV

Report By Jodi Johnston

Jeff Harvey's grandson is the love of his life - and his namesake. Little Jeff was recently diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a lethal childhood disease that causes the muscles to waste away.

Jeff says, "It was absolutely heart breaking.  He's so cute and after I heard the news I decided one thing I could do to help is do a lot of research.  I thought I'll type in UB muscular dystrophy and up came Dr. Fred Sachs.  And sure enough it's a funny story - he's working with a tarantula for a cure for muscular dystrophy."

Meet Rosie - the unusual lab assistant who has been the focal point of some miraculous research at UB. 

Dr. Fred Sachs discovered that tarantula venom is not just poison.  It also contains a very unique compound.

Dr. Sachs says, "We think that's what the spider uses it for - to keep the prey's heart beating as long as possible.  So it's the opposite of toxic.  It's therapeutic."

Jeff explains, "It's involved in trying to close off cells that let in excess calcium - when the excess calcium helps degrade these muscles over time."

Jeff is now meeting weekly with Dr. Sachs and his team.  He's using his background in finance to turn this research lab - into a nationally recognized business venture.   

"I am so passionate about trying to help him.  I am so excited about what Fred and his group have here, that we formed a company called Rose Pharmaceuticals.  We're starting clinical trials."

The tarantula venom therapy is currently being tested at Washington Children's Hospital.  No side effects have been reported. 

Dr. Sachs says, "It's a race against time because the children roughly have a life span of 20 years.  So if we can develop a therapy in the meantime, possibly while a general cure is developing in the background - we will save these kids lives and that means a lot."

It means everything to Jeff Harvery - who is doing all he can to make that dream of curing his grandson come true.  "You look into his eyes and you just can't help but want to try to do everything you can to help him."

Learn more about Dr. Sachs