Hadassah's Cell-A-Brate Raises Funding for Medical Research

Seventeen years ago, Malia Litman’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Her symptoms were mild at first — unsteadiness and frequent infections — but managed with medications, leaving Litman able to lead a relatively normal life.

“I could still drive and raise my kids,” says Litman, 59, an author and former trial attorney who lives in Dallas.

But seven years ago, her condition worsened. Litman began “aggressively” researching the latest treatment developments for MS, not just in the United States but around the world. Her internet journey led to Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem and Dr. Dimitrios Karussis, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center there. Karussis has been studying the use of a stem cell infusion for such neuro-degenerative diseases as MS and Parkinson’s disease.

Litman and her husband, David, co-founder of Hotels.com, traveled to Israel. After evaluating her condition, Karussis decided Litman would be a good candidate for an experimental stem cell treatment. Six months later, the Litmans returned to Jerusalem for the first infusion, which was injected into the spine.

“Twelve hours later, I was able to lift my leg … just like normal,” says Litman. “By the next morning, the change was so dramatic that we just cried together. … I felt like I had been given a new life.”

Litman will speak and be honored on Sunday, Mar. 19, at Hadassah Greater Baltimore’s 11th annual Cell-A-Brate event, which raises money for Hadassah Medical Center’s stem cell research and advocacy efforts.

“Malia’s progress has been miraculous,” says Barbara Fink, the event’s co-chair with Jackie Youra.

The dinner, reception and silent auction — which will also feature live entertainment from MC Fresh of So Fresh Entertainment and special guest announcer and local radio personality Maria Dennis — will be start at 5 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Baltimore North-Pikesville, at 1726 Reisterstown Rd.

Fink says past Cell-A-Brate honorees have also been patients or family members whose lives were impacted by one or more of the neurological diseases that Hadassah is striving to treat and eradicate.

“Hadassah Hospital’s research is groundbreaking and helping people not just in Israel but around the world,” says Youra.

Over the past decade, Hadassah Greater Baltimore has raised more than $1 million in research funding through Cell-A-Brate.

Using Hadassah’s research protocols, leading medical institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center are conducting expanded stem cell trials in the United States.

Hadassah also collaborates with such hospitals as the Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, the Brain Mind Institute in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, and University of Edinburgh in Scotland, to name just a few.

In her talk, Litman will tell attendees about her four infusion treatments, which have required her to return to Israel every six months. She said she is not certain how many more treatments will be needed or the eventual outcome, but for now she is using her newfound energy to promote the research of Karussis and overall research efforts of Hadassah Medical Center.

“Malia is bringing her personal story to the event to show people that the money being raised is bringing about results,” says Julie L. Bernstein, president of Hadassah Greater Baltimore. “This year, Cell-A-Brate actually will be celebrating. We’re no longer just praying for a miracle. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

For information about Cell-A-Brate, call 410-484-9590 or visit bidpal.net/cellabrate2017 .

Carol Sorgen is a Baltimore-based freelance writer.

Top Photo: Jackie Youra (left) and Barbara Fink are the co-chairs of Hadassah Greater Baltimore’s 11th annual Cell-A-Brate event. (Photo courtesy of Hadassah Mid-Atlantic)

Bottom Photo: Malia Litman: “I felt like I had been given a new life.”