Cure for Carson

A year ago I wrote about Gabe and Michala Lemley from New London, who took their 3-year-old son, Ezekial to China for a stem-cell transplant. Ezekial has cerebral palsy and experienced marked improvement from the procedure, a procedure that is not allowed in the United States.

A grandmother in Ottumwa, Kandy Johns, read the story and told her daughter, Tommie Johns. Tommie has a 4-year-old son, Carson, who has been blind from birth with septo-optic dysplasia. SOD is characterized by the absence of the septum pellucidum, the part of the brain that separates the lateral ventricles. Stem-cell therapy can help this condition. The Johnses contacted the Lemleys in New London and discussed the trip to China, the medical procedure involved, and the fundraising necessary to finance such a trip. The Lemleys assured the Johnses that the trip to China was worth it, and that they would do it again if the situation arose. Improved health is one of the greatest gifts parents can give a child.

The Johnses went to work placing donation cans around and selling T-shirts and wrist bracelets. A ?Cure for Carson? had a nice ring. People responded. The Johns eshave raised about three-fourths of the money, but still need $5,500.

There will be a spaghetti dinner and auction at the Elks Club in Ottumwa, at 413 S. Iowa St., starting at 4:30 p.m., on Saturday, March 17.

To donate items for the auction, contact Tommie Johns at 641-980-9246.

Personally, I will be donating one of my welded-junk sculptures, a ?steel magnolia,? and a large framed photograph of Carson and Tommie.

The Johnses need frequent flier miles. If anyone wants to donate frequent flier miles, they would be greatly appreciated, not to mention put to good use.

Donations of money can be made to the Meridian Credit Union, 1206 N. Jefferson St., Ottumwa, IA 52501, under ?Cure of Carson.? The credit union phone number is 641-684-4207.

There is much misinformation about stem-cell-therapy. The Chinese are not performing abortions to obtain stem cells. The stem cells are being extracted from placental blood after a baby is born. There?s a Web site you can access to find out about stem-cell-therapy in China and what illnesses and physical conditions can be treated. The Web site is www.stemcellchina.com.

The Johnses have a care coordinator in China. Carson is eligible for five treatments?three through I.V., and two by lumbar injection. The Johnses anticipate they will be in China 18 ? 20 days, with the outpatient procedure taking several hours, and the rest of the day to be spent as they wish.

The Johnses are under no misconceptions about Carson?s chances of recovery, but in Tommie Johns? words, ?I had to give this a try.? She researched the procedure well. The younger the person, the better their chances. What she is hoping and praying for is not a cure, but an improvement in Carson?s eyesight. From case studies, she has seen that improved eyesight can improve behavior. If Carson could feed himself, use the potty, and play with other children, it would be like a miracle.

It goes without saying, the Johnses need your prayers.

Have a good story? Call Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526, email him a curtswarm@yahoo.com, or visit his website at www.empty-nest-words-photos-and-frames.com