Philantropist Donates to CA Woman's Stem Cell Treatment

[Jeannine]

Philantropist Donates to CA Woman's Stem Cell Treatment

A WOMAN who gave directions to a lost traveller ended up with $US20,000 for life-saving medical treatment.
Jennifer Vasilakos wrote in her blog that she was sitting at her stall by the side of the road in Santa Barbara California, trying to raise money for an operation.
Ms Vasilakos has kidney failure but does not qualify for a transplant because of the removal of a small spot of melanoma from her back last year.
She was seeking donations towards the cost of a stem cell treatment which she hoped could repair her kidneys, but which was not available in the US.
Then one day a stranger rolled up in a nondescript car.
"He was lost and needed directions, Ms Vasilakos blogged. "I often get asked by random strangers for directions. Not one to miss an opportunity, I handed him my flyer and he made a fifty dollar donation. As he drove off, I thought that was the end of our encounter."
But an hour later he came back and introduced himself as Ty Warner, the billionaire founder of the company that made the hit 1990s stuffed toys called Beanie Babies.
He said her "fundraising was done", went back to his office and sent her a cheque for $US20,000 ($19,200), to cover the operation, travel and accommodation.
Ms Vasilakos said the cheque arrived in a cream envelope with a handwritten letter she described as "genuine and heartfelt - the kind of letter you keep forever".
"I might have all that I need to claim my life back," Ms Vasilakos wrote.
In a public statement, Mr Warner said he wanted to raise awareness about stem cell treatment with the gift.
"After I serendipitously met Jennifer, I further educated myself on her stem cell needs," he said. "I was shocked that this particular type of treatment wasn't available to her in the US.
"My hope is that we can bring this lifesaving treatment to the forefront so that it can become more readily available and provide alternatives for people like Jennifer."
Ms Vasilakos flew out on August 19 to begin the treatment.
So-called "autologous" stem cell treatment uses the patient's own blood or bone marrow cells to repair the kidney.
It is not yet available in the US because of a lack of evidence of its efficacy and safety, but is available in countries with less regulation of healthcare, such as India.
Recent research has shown signs that stem cells extracted from the patient could be used to repair kidney function.
However other scientists have raised doubts about similar treatments, finding that they could even harm the patient.
Ms Vasilakos chose a treatment with the help of the International Cellular Medicine Society, a non-profit organisation that evaluates the safety and legitimacy of stem cell clinics.


Read more: http://www.news.com.au/news/beanie-b...#ixzz24twcOR4c