Give Forward

Hello. My name is Brandi and I live in Central Texas with my husband and 2 kids. I am 35 years old and I am legally blind with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH). Recently I was googling ONH when I came across an article about umbilical stem cell treatments being done in China for ONH and I was shocked and amazed. After that initial discovery, I have been doing nothing but researching this and I now know I must go there and try this. I researches actual companies offering the treatment but I wanted to talk first hand to regular people who have been and so I did just that. I have talked with many and learned first hand how this treatment has changed their lives and that of their family.

I did a whole lot of research and asked TONS of questions and have decided to go with Beike Diotechnologies out of China. So, I sent in an application to see if I qualified and I found that I do (I didn't doubt I would). As of right now, 40 people with ONH have traveled to CHina for this treatment and almost all patients have reported visual improvement. Macie, for instance, is 16 and had vision of 20/4000 in her good eye and now she drives. She is in Colorado and has been in the news.

With that said, I am going there myself somehow to try this. Not many adults have gone, in fact, I only know of 2, the oldest of which is 23. I believe the main reason adults dont try and go is fear and embarrassment. The embarrassment of being their own advocate and loving themselves enough to try. The fear of disappointment is another biggie and since we all develop fear with age it is certainly understnadable. I am not afraid and I want to make the trek and pave the way for others. This would show blind adults and kids alike that there is hope for us. I have been told all of my life by doctors and vision rehab teachers that there would never be a 'cure' for ONH, so I sucked it up and dealt with life as it was. But now after learning about this treatment, I am thinking about it. :D

On that note, I am trying to raise money to make the trek to China to give this a shot. Theydo not use embryonic stem cells. Rather, umbilical cord cells. Beike has done ths treatment for thousands of people for many diseases so why not me? The treatment is going to cost me $32,000, as they recommend 8 treatments for me.

I do believe I have found my calling, as I have every intention of coming home and helping others do the same thing, even if it does not work for me. Once the treatment is in the states, which will take several years because of red tape, the treatment will cost SO much more than the treatments in China. The treatment will take 35 days. We're a working class family but I know with help from people like you this is possible and I will not stop trying! :D

With Sincere Regards,

Brandi