Hi! Lisa Book is a wonderful flutist, teacher, and friend. She performs in multiple organizations in the DFW Metroplex including the Texas Chamber Music Project and the Northeast Orchestra, and until her retirement in May, she taught in the Eagle Mountain Independent School District.

On June 1, Lisa underwent a procedure to alleviate chronic pain, which resulted in her losing control of the muscles on the right side of her body. Although she could feel, she was not able to move her right arm and leg, and she required the use of a BiPAP machine to breathe. The initial long-term prognosis for Lisa was not favorable.

With laser focus and immense determination, Lisa has improved over the last few weeks. She attributes her ability to wean herself off of her breathing machine to her years of flute training & playing. And, to the puzzlement and delight of her doctors, she has gained some movement in the major muscles of her right arm and leg and in her right thumb.

Lisa is a fighter! Her determination to get back to teaching her private students and performing with her ensembles is strong, and although there are signs of progress, Lisa is in need of a specific treatment, which is not FDA approved, and thus not available in the US.

Lisa needs our help to get back to doing what she loves, teaching & playing.

The following are the details of what is needed and how we can help!

Who: Stem Cell Institute (www.cellmedicine.com) associated with the Riordan Medical Institute, Southlake, Texas.

What: Adult stem cell treatment of spinal injury with stems cells harvested from donated umbilical cords. Treatment includes:

• intrathecal injections
• intravenous injections
• physical therapy

When: Late July, 2021

Where: Panama City, Panama

How long: Two weeks (in Pamana and ongoing if needed)

How much - the estimated total cost is approximately $30,000:

• cost of treatment: $27,485 (includes two weeks of treatment and hotel)
• other expenses: airfare for Lisa and her husband, Brian (due to Lisa’s condition, they will need to fly business class) and food for the two weeks they are in Panama City.

Lisa and Brian want us to know their ability to cover the costs associated with Lisa's treatment do not depend on the success of this page; however, anything we are led to give will be of great help to them, especially should Lisa need follow-up treatments in the future.

Please join us in supporting Lisa on her journey back to sharing her gift of music with everyone!

Erica, Vonna, Tom & all of us with the Northeast Orchestra & TXCMP.org