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IMAGINE A CURE FOR PARALYSIS

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September 30, 2018, I suffered a life altering injury to my spinal cord.  Camping with friends in Payson, I had to swerve my dune buggy into a tree to avoid hitting an inexperienced dirt bike rider in the middle of the trail.   The impact snapped my seat-belt,  threw me out and fractured the C5-C7 vertebrae in my neck.  Four months later, I was discharged from the hospital, paralyzed from the chest down, with the painful prognoses that left little room for hope. 

My prognosis went something like, "Luke suffered a catastrophic injury to his spinal cord and he will never be able to use his hands, walk, or be independent", "your paralysis is permanent and will require round-the-clock care", and "There is nothing we can do".   
Sensing that nothing is impossible, my mom and I began a quest to defy the odds and prove them all wrong.

According to Scientists at Keck Medicine at University of Southern California (USC), "science today is leaps and bounds ahead of the traditional notion that a “complete” cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) leaves no room for returning feelings or mobility.   Science is catching up and there are breakthroughs happening all around us that could change everything". 

Enter AXER-204:  An innovative new treatment that scientists have found to promote nerve growth and produce relevant increases in functional recovery,  including hand and leg locomotion, and lower urinary tract function in cervical spinal cord injured monkeys and rats. The current, on-going clinical trials will elucidate the potential relevance of this exciting new therapeutic treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) in human patients. 

I am one of only 6 participants who have been accepted into the Phase I clinical trial at USC , beginning January 28, 2020.  My mother and I must travel from my home in Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles, California, 6 times over 60 days.  Each trip requires round-trip airfare, accessible accommodations and equipment for myself and caregivers.  At the end of the study I will receive some compensation, but this will only cover about 1/5 of my travel expenses and unfortunately is not covered by my medical insurance.  The Phase I study is for safety, but I've been advised of the risk and think it is worth it.   When the treatment becomes available, I will have the opportunity to be one of the first to receive it.

The financial strain on my family and I from my injury is “significant” and expenses to this day add up quickly.  Now you can  become part of SCI's future!  I believe together we can finally find the cure for paralysis.  

Please support me throughout my journey to recovery by making a direct donation today.   I also need to buy a mobility van, as I am in a power wheelchair without the strength or capacity to transfer into a car.   They tell me when I can get my debilitating nerve pain and blood pressure under control to start physical rehab, I'll be able drive a modified van with hand controls.  As a former motorsports enthusiast, I am desperately looking forward to that day!
 
You can contribute direct through Venmo use:  @luketaylorcure or PayPal use:  [email redacted]  

Please share this page with your friends and bookmark this page so you can return to view my progress.  Every dollar donated will go directly toward the costs of my clinical trial travel expenses and/or modified mobility van so I can begin to rebuild my life. 

Thank you for your thoughtful contribution.  I am eternally grateful for your support!

Forever Optimistic . . .  Luke Taylor  

PS:  For more information about me and the trials, you may contact me on Facebook  (or go to my personal blog website MX69.com

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  • Anonymous
    • $2,500 
    • 4 yrs
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Luke Taylor
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Phoenix, AZ

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