Clara Chestnut from California has just become one of only a handful patients who have received her second treatment with adult stem cells for her failing heart. "I've been going downhill since 2000, with every year more of my heart being dead," she said. "But after my first treatment in April 2006 my cardiologists have done a huge attitude shift and now recognize that 'No change' is a certificate of my wellbeing. Staying the same is terrific, so if it takes coming back every year I will do that."

Like many heart patients Clara had experienced several heart attacks without knowing what they were. Her doctor concurred that at 59 the pains she experienced were probably arthritis, so she started carrying her purse on the other arm, but it made no difference. Then in 2000 she had two major heart attacks and started on the downhill slide. Specialists gave her 30days to live without a bypass and also told her she probably would not survive the surgery.

Clara got mad and searched until she found someone who could help her. "I wasn't ready to die, and I knew that someone, somewhere, knew more than those people," she said. Her new doctor gave her the first of seven stents and she felt "wonderful". She read about singer Don Ho and his success story with adult stem cells, so did her research and in the face of her doctors' opposition went to Bangkok to undergo a adult stem cell therapy. "I was most impressed with the professionalism of the doctors and the nursing staff. Everything went fine and the following February I returned to my specialist for a cardiogram. He told me nothing had changed, so I asked him 'Would you go back to Bangkok if you were me?' He said that he would, but that I didn't have to leave the next morning! That is an enormous attitude change."

People looking for hope and help, who want to feel better and be more active, are the most outspoken advocates of adult stem cell therapy. "I listen to myself and I feel anybody with any sense would listen to themselves and know it's something they should do. They know how they are feeling. They know how wonderful it would be to feel better. I don't see why anybody would be reluctant," she said.