Humanitarian Support for Ukraine:
Another Day In Paradise Project

Peace Boat US announces a new humanitarian program carried out in partnership with Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) and Dr. Louis Yuge and Dr. Lika Khorbaladz. This project will provide innovative medical care using stem cell therapy and robotic rehabilitation to war wounded Ukrainian civilians and children.

Project Aims

Over eight months have passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians and children are suffering from war wounds. More than 5,000 people have reportedly suffered head injuries from missile attacks and bullets.

This project will provide innovative medical care combining regenerative medicine and robotic rehabilitation to civilians and children in Ukraine suffering from war wounds, especially head injuries, to overcome the aftereffects and return to their pre-war lives.

Donate Now

Donations can also be made by bank transfer to:

Peace Boat US, Inc.
Bank Name: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Address: JP Morgan Chase New York
NY 10017
SWIFT: CHASUS33
ABA#: 021000021
Account#: 726147622

Project Managers

  • Dr. Louis Yuge – Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan
  • Dr. Lika Khorbaladze – M. Iashvili Children‘s Central Hospital, Georgia

Cooperating hospitals in Georgia

  • Tbilisi State Medical University
  • Ken Walker University Medical Rehabilitation Clinic
  • The FIRST UNIVERSITY CLINIC

Enquiries

Dr. Louis Yuge
Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences and Space Regenerative Medicine Project Research Center
E-mail: louisyuge@gmail.com

Satoshi Nakazawa (Mr.)
Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV)
E-mail: s-nakazawa@pbv.or.jp

Project Details

Eight months have passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. During that time, many Ukrainian civilians and children were injured in the war and were victims of the war. More than 5,000 people have suffered head injuries in the three months since the invasion, due to damage from missile hits and gunshot wounds, and torture, which is a war crime. Dr. Lika Khorbaladze, a neurosurgeon at M. Iashvili Children’s Central Hospital, Georgia and others are receiving and treating such injured people.

The brain is the seat of humanity and consciousness, but once damaged, it is medically difficult to recover. Professor Louis Yuge of Hiroshima University has been conducting independent research on regenerative therapy of the brain and spinal cord for 20 years in collaboration with the neurosurgery department of the university. We are conducting the world’s first clinical research.

In recent years, the importance of rehabilitation after cell therapy has also been recognized, and the “Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine and Rehabilitation”, chaired by Professor Yuge, was organized, and is leading the implementation of its implementation through international cooperation. Using this innovative technology, we will provide regenerative medicine and rehabilitation to people in Ukraine who have suffered head injuries and support their social reintegration.

Stem cells are produced by processing and culturing adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells as allograft stem cells. When administered to nerve tissue in the brain, neurotrophic factors and growth factors are secreted, resulting in It is expected that the natural regenerative ability of the human body will be brought out and the lost motor function will be restored. Allograft stem cells are more suitable for cell therapy in Georgia than autologous transplantation, because high-performance stem cells collected from donors can be stocked for cell therapy.

The walking assistance robot (RE-Gait®) makes walking easier for people who have difficulty walking due to stroke or head injury by improving movements such as raising the toes (dorsiflexion) and kicking the ground (plantarflexion). It is already being used in many medical institutions and nursing homes. It is light in weight and easy to wear, and can be used for various diseases that cause paralysis of the lower extremities.

Next deployment

This humanitarian project will implement mesenchymal stem cell therapy and robotic rehabilitation protocols for head trauma patients, but many of the injured who are transported to Georgia are those with cartilage injuries, heart injuries, and other injuries. In the future, we will expand the scale with the cooperation of world-class regenerative medicine and rehabilitation-related societies and clinicians, and provide a system for regenerative medicine and rehabilitation for tissues other than brain injuries.

By packaging this technology and deploying it to medical support in conflict areas other than Ukraine, it will be possible to prevent the injuries and disabilities of civilians and children who are wounded in battle, war victims, soldiers’ wounded and wounded soldiers. We would like to contribute to the overcoming of the war and bring hope to many people who are in the midst of the war.