Colin's LHON Clinical Trial

$20,000 will cover the cost for Colin to participate in a clinical trial to regain his vision

Those of you who know Colin, know him to be one of the strongest, most positive, genuinely happy souls out there. However, when he was in the 7th grade, Colin began to lose his vision and is now(at 20 years old) considered legally blind. Shortly after he started to lose his vision, he was diagnosed with a genetic condition known as Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy(LHON), which causes the cells in the optic nerve to die. The optic nerve is in charge of relaying visual information from the eyes to the brain. Therefore, once the cells start to die, the optic nerve can no longer do its job.

Currently, there is no cure for this disease, BUT there are studies that are aiming to find an effective treatment. And Colin was actually able to get into one. The clinical trial (Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II) uses autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat optic nerve damage/disease. This is the second round of the SCOTs study. The first round had amazingly positive results with 80% of patients experiencing some increase in Snellen binocular vision. The increase in visual acuity obtained are encouraging and suggest using autologous bone marrow stem cells for ophthalmologic mitochondrial diseases including LHON as a viable treatment option. 


We are all extremely excited and hopeful about the possibilities this trial could open for not only Colin, but also the LHON community. However, this is a patient sponsored clinical trial. Therefore, for Colin to be able to participate, we need to raise a minimum of $19,600, by September 1st(the next trial date).  Colin's vision is continuing to decline. As an incoming Sophomore in college, he is struggling to be able to keep up. This is a real opportunity to make a difference in Colin's everyday life. Thank each and every one of you for donating, any amount counts!

**Note: GoFundMe does charge a 2.9% transaction fee, if you prefer another method of donating then contact Colin at [phone redacted]

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01920867

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03011541?cond=LHON&cntry=US&state=US%3AFL&draw=2&rank=3

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01920867?term=steven+levy&draw=2&rank=5

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27904503/

http://sci.amegroups.com/article/view/17421/17703