Spinal Elements announced the introduction of its “Pledge to be a Hero” programme, following introduction of the company’s Hero allograft at the North American Spine Society (NASS, Dallas, USA, 24–27 October) meeting.
The “Pledge to Be a Hero” programme offers surgeons and hospitals the opportunity to pledge to use only allograft tissue from companies that do not profit from the transfer of that tissue whenever clinically feasible. The company will help raise awareness of the given surgeon’s or hospital’s participation by offering to work with local media outlets to inform each participant’s community about their involvement in the programme.
Hero consists of various configurations of human allograft tissue including demineralised bone matrix (DBM) in paste or putty form, compressible cancellous blocks and strips, and structural grafts. These types of grafts are typically used in fusion procedures.
The company says that the name “Hero” for its allograft tissue product was chosen to honor those whose donation made the tissue donation possible. Spinal Elements states that it has chosen to donate all profits from the sale of Hero allograft to charities benefiting children with life-threatening medical conditions.
“I am proud to participate in this programme. With all else being equal in terms of safety and efficacy, I would rather support something that goes to a good cause while paying respect to the donor that made the allograft possible,” said Carl Lauryssen neurosurgeon, director of Research and Education at Olympia Medical Center in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, USA. Lauryssen was the first surgeon to take the “Pledge to Be a Hero” programme.
