I have several things to share, and to answer questions for everyone that has sent me questions. I will answer on here just so everyone will have the information just in case you have questions and just didn’t ask.

Is this treatment experimental? The treatments that are conducted in Tiantan Puhua hospital are not under clinical trial, they are conducted under certain protocols that proved to be safe and effective and their one goal is to offer improvement and better quality of life to patients. We provide individualized treatments to patients under a certain protocol that was developed by our neurologist and neurosurgeons.

Can this treatment be done somewhere besides China? Yes, Apart from the stem cells used, the treatment offered in our hospital is a comprehensive treatment, built on an extensive rehabilitation program in which stem cells are only one part of the treatment protocol, supported by a daily intake of neurotrophic factors (Neurotrophic factors are a family of proteins that are responsible for the growth and survival of developing neurons and the maintenance of mature neurons. Recent research has proven that neurotrophic factors are capable of re-growing damaged neurons), daily sessions of Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments, Physical therapy and Occupational therapy. While the German clinics treat the patients with one injection only, in our hospital we offer 4-5 weeks comprehensive treatment, in which the stem cells are only a part of treatment, not the main focus.

What are the risks and side effects? We have observed a few reactions to the implantation, in the form of flu like symptoms, which last from a few hours to a few days. Neural and mesenchymal stem cells present with a low immuno genicity, and so far we have not seen any rejections. Depending on our doctor's research and clinic experience, there are no risk of long-term side effect of our stem cell treatment procedure. We use cell lines. When we choose the cells, we do a series of tests to avoid virus infections, bacillus, tumors growth, mutation, etc.; these tests will insure the safety of the stem cells used for practice. Patients have reported on short-term side effects such as headache, low fever, weakness, and dizziness. Side effects usually persist between the first 24 hours and 3 days after the injection and can be controlled by our medical team. Up to date, none of our patients have reported on a long-term reaction upon leaving the hospital.

Why use retina stem cells, and how does that work? Stem cells could not be obtained from your retina, since it would mean losing sight. Retina is the only part of the Central Nervous System that is visible, and derivation of stem cells from a live person would result in damaging the eyes. The retinal cells are obtained from (organ) donations that are extracted by qualified hospitals and kept in cells banks (similarly to donation of other organs). The cells are then cultured in Beijing Tiantan Puhua hospital's stem cell lab before implantation.

What will the money be used for that you are trying to raise? A bank account has been set up at Metcalf Bank, with my name as well as Amy Dmyterko’s name (she is over the women’s ministry at church) as my accountability partner on all funds. I don’t want anyone to question the uses by just having my name alone on the account. Amy will be over-seeing the account as well. The funds will cover all medical expenses for the trip to China and anything after that will start to cover some of the mounting medical bills here in the United States. If something were to happen to me (passing away) and there is still money in the account, what will happen to it? After all medical bills are paid; the remaining funds will be given to help those in need of help with medical care. These monies will not be available to my family at any time, nor will they have access to the account.

Can you get the therapies and medications without having to include stem cell transplant? No, It all works together, the activation drug cocktail helps prepare the brain for stem cell implantation therefore is not applicable alone. The IV is designed to maximize neural functions in the period before and during implantation and in the period when the cells are absorbed. Those drugs cannot be taken or a regular basis for the purpose of controlling symptoms or holding back the degeneration process. It is true that patients are experiencing symptomatic improvement few days after they begin receiving the IV, and yet, this treatment cannot control symptoms on the long term. The high efficacy of the IV "cocktail" treatment is calculated in relation to the overall success of the treatment (Cocktail of neurotrophic factors and supplements + stem cell implantation). All the drugs that are used inside the IV cocktail are FDA approved drugs which carry absolutely no danger of developing tumors.

What will happen if you don’t get this treatment? Because of the process of this disease, I would continue to become weaker and lose organ functions. Eventually it will take my life, and I will go home to the Lord. Until then, I will continue to seek out for help and treatment. Finding something, anything that will help, if not me, maybe for someone else in the future.

Is it possible that this will not work? Stem cells can provide different relief to patients suffering from different conditions. Some patients experience more improvements than other, but in general, stem cells do not have the option "not to work", simply be less effective in treating certain conditions. It is important to understand that every patient is different, and stem cells implantation has proven to be beneficiary in direct connection to the patient's age, general health condition and the progression of the disease. Although stem cell treatment does not provide a cure, it can provide different levels of improvement to patients.

I will answer more question as I get the answers back from China. Now, I started my therapy at Mid America today, and my therapist and I were talking about China. She said she had a spinal cord injury patient 3 years ago go get this treatment done in China as well. Paralyzed from the waist down, this patient came home walking, she has lost contact with him, but was excited that I am searching out the same treatment.

Please understand that stem cell transplants don't always mean that it is embryonic stem cells. I will not be having anything like that, my treatment will consist of stem cells extracted from the retina of an organ donor. These cells regenerate quickly and have little to no rejection factors and are not based on blood type to be a match. These cells will be mixed with my own that will be extracted via bone marrow upon arrival to China, then mixed with the retinal cells to grow the number needed for each transplant. With each transplant, they will be 'inserting' 5.5 million stem cells back into the spinal fluid during the lumbar puncture, for a total of some 22 million stem cells. Just how do they count them little stinkers?

The silent auction is going very well in gathering donations, so far we have obtained just about everything you can think of. Many valued from $500-$1500. Thank you to all my friends and family who are helping to make this event a success. While we are hosting at Crossroads Chrisian Church, please keep in mind that the Church is not putting on the event or responsible for anything, they are just simply allowing us to use the church facilities for the event. This is open to everyone, so please bring your family and friends, invite your neighbors along for a great night of food, fun and Big Band music with Ray Desmond from Nashville TN.

Blessings to all