Atlantica - 01.05.2002, Page 58

The National University Hospital in Iceland and the World Health Organisation
(WHO) are now preparing to open a database to collect information from doctors
and scientists. The aim of the database is to gather enough information on the
research and treatment of spinal cord injuries to take the first steps towards a cure.
In the last decade, research has shown that there is a lot of unused knowledge in
the sector, knowledge that could be used to find a cure. To investigate whether this
information can be used, the Icelandic health authorities and WHO hosted a con-
ference with pioneers in the field, who all agreed that an international database
accessible to doctors and scientists was essential.
The woman responsible for this incentive is medical nurse Audur Gudjónsdóttir,
whose daughter Hrafnhildur was seriously injured in a car crash 13 years ago,
where she received damaging injuries to her spine. Gudjónsdóttir spent ten years
looking into the field, and she is convinced that the collection of data from all over
the world could lead to curing spinal cord injuries. “When my daughter had the
accident, we were told she would never walk again. We made a decision not to lis-
ten, but to seek help. My daughter has undergone treatment in China, Russia and
France. Today she is able to walk using a low walker and has the ability to bend her
knees.” Hopeful that the database will change the way spinal injuries are viewed,
Gudjónsdóttir adds, “It is common belief that spinal injuries cannot be treated. It’s
time to look for a cure.“ AMB
The database will open later this year and will be presided by
Dr. Laurance Johnston PhD. For further information,
contact audursg@hotmail.com, laurancejohnsto@aol.com or thoth@islandia.is
International Incentive to
Cure Spinal Cord Injuries
i-site CURE❍
KÓPAVOGUR ART MUSEUM
GERÐARSAFN
Open Tues.–Sun. 11–17, closed Mon.
The café serves lunchtime refreshments and
snacks and afternoon coffee with cakes.
Bus no. 140 from Lækjargata first stop
Hamraborg 4 • Kópavogur
Tel. 554 4501 • Fax 554 4507
e-mail: gerdarsafn@kopavogur.is
www.gerdarsafn.is
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A cultural link between Iceland
and the other Nordic countries.
Designed by Alvar Aalto
LIBRARY
Public library with modern Nordic
literature, magazines, records
and videos, art collection and
computer with Internet access.
Open daily 12-17
EXHIBITION ROOMS
Open daily 12-17 during exhibitions,
closed Mondays
CAFETERIA
Drinks and other refreshments, news-
papers from all the Nordic countries
Open Mon-Sat 8-17, Sun 12-17
NORRÆNA HÚSIÐ
POHJOLAN TALO
NORDENS HUS
Tel. +354 551 7030
Fax +354 552 6476
www.nordice.is • nh@nordice.is
VISIT THE
NORDIC HOUSE
IN REYKJAVÍK
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