Thomas Klauset Aurdal, 23 years old, Norway
Most 23 year olds aren’t thinking about life expectancy. But Thomas Klauset Aurdal is; he has to. Seven years ago he was a teenager confronting his own mortality. He needed a heart transplant. Thomas was one of the lucky ones. He got his transplant and today he is studying political science in his native Norway. But he can’t live without immunosuppressive drugs. They prevent the rejection of his transplanted organ but have serious side effects and risks. Thomas decided to put his money where is heart is and invested $1000 in the future of organ replacement.
The mission of Methuselah Foundation is to extend healthy life. Through the MLife Science Fund they provide financial support for companies working in the research and development of long term life extension solutions. This funding depends on individual donors like Thomas. He became aware of Methuselah Foundation by surfing the web and was happy to find a way to be part of the solution.
Small Investments in Science, Big Dividends in the Future
$1000 is a very small amount to a venture capitalist but it’s a lot of money to a student. Thomas’
Thomas believes the potential exists to change from the highly sensitive and risky donor model to organ regeneration. “I received a heart transplant in 2002 and am on toxic immunosuppressive drugs which drastically reduce healthy lifespan. I can see a world where patients don’t have to wait and risk dying while waiting for a donor organ from a dead person and where the patient doesn’t have to take a heavy immunosuppressant like Ciclosporin A.”
He goes on to say, “The Mlife Sciences initiative to support Organovo will bring transplantation medicine from the dark ages to modern times where compatible organs are available for everyone. Future generations of transplant patients will have a much better life expectancy than I have and someone needing a transplant will have a better chance of getting it. I’m proud to have the opportunity to be a supporter of Mlife Sciences.”
Thomas maintains his health by exercising and eating a nutritious diet including lots of vegetables. His favorite health tip: drink ten cups of green tea a day.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
