Arnie's Medical Fund for Stem Cells

My name is Arnie Pluess.  I'm 74 years old, a veteran, father, and grandfather.  I've provided for my family all my life. I've experienced the loss of a wife, found love again, married a second time, and helped raise grand children whose mother was not in their life. My faith in God has always sustained me.

It is difficult for me to ask for financial help, but I’m faced with an overwhelming need.  I experienced an eye stroke in 2008, which resulted in optic nerve damage to my left eye, leaving it legally blind.  

Last year, a Worship Director at my church who had a condition that would eventually cause blindness, participated in a stem cell clinical trial to treat her condition.  She has experienced improved vision and the procedure may save her from going blind.  The clinical trial is in Florida and I have applied and been accepted to participate in the same clinical trial. 

This is an NIH sanctioned clinical trial that is patient funded. I’m scheduled for August 16th and the fee of $19,600 is due by July 16th.  I will have to travel and stay for several days for this breakthrough in stem cell research which offers the possibility of restoring my vision. Patients are responsible for costs of pre-op tests, x-rays, blood work and follow up exams for 12 months afterwards. These costs are in addition to the fee and may not be covered by Medicare or my supplemental insurance. 

Please share my request with people you know. Thank you so much for your time and consideration, any donation amount will help me and is greatly appreciated.