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Stem Cell Therapy for Jeff

A year ago today my brother, Jeff Stolz, suffered a severe ischemic stroke that required an emergency Craniectomy (partial removal of his skull) due to dramatic brain swelling.   After several months in the hospital, surgeries, challenges and rehab, he is alive and recovering/fighting everyday in hopes of gaining an increased level of physical and communicative indepdence.  

Prior to the stroke, Jeff was a very active and healthy Christian man  who loved his family, life, fishing, working out, and his job as a logistics manager with Kalman & Company.  Jeff also served his country as a chemical officer in the U.S. Army and retired in 2009 as a Lt. Colonel at the young age of 45 after 27 years of dedicated service.

Today Jeff is  paralyzed on the right side of his body with limited speech.  He can communicate with hand signals, and he can write a few words with his left hand, but he still has difficulty connecting the word/s in his brain to his tongue.  It's been very emotional for this gregarious man who understands/comprehends everything but cannot speak fluently in conversation.

In the past few months, there has been encouraging progress with some leg movement with his right leg and some feeling and small muscle movements in his right arm.  As well as a few more words he spews out for no reason :o)

It is this encouragement that drives my effort today. The progress, although minimal, qualifies Jeff for stem cell treatment with promising results.   

I am seeking financial help from our family, friends, and your repsective networks in donations to help Jeff and his family with the expenses for a promising clinical trial opportunity to improve the quality of his life. The name of this study is Neurologic Stem Cell Treatment Study or NEST and is being offered in Coconut Creek, Florida. 

This unique treatment utilizes Jeff's bone marrow derived stem cells which will be transferred to that area of his brain that sustained neurologic and cellular damage from his stroke. The aim of the study is to evaluate clinical outcomes and the efficacy of these cells to repair this damage.  Because this study represents the most advanced approach to supporting Jeff's hope for neurologic improvement, we are both anxious and excited.

We've consulted with several physicians including Jeff's neurologist and clinical consultants who have evaluated the NEST trials, and they believe this treatment offers the best opportunity.  In addition, it provides Jeff and his doctors with data to help Jeff improve with other treatments if needed over time.  

The cost of this 4-day thearpy/treatment is $17,000.00. In addition there will be travel expenses for air, hotel, food for Jeff and his wife, Angie.  Jeff and Angie have already made arrangements and paid for the treatment in advance as required by the clinic by withdrawing money from their IRA.  

It is my hope and goal that our vast network of family and friends will raise enough money to replenish these funds for Jeff and Angie.  Even if the treatment works and improves Jeff's motor skills and neurological pathways (which we are all hoping and praying it will), the road to recovery has and will continue to cause some financial strain on his family's savings.

The bridge to our success is driven by our faith, family, friends, and network of associates.  These moral pillars support our journey on the road to goodwill.   Please spread the word and thank you in advance for your thoughts, prayers and support.  

Scott Stolz
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Donations 

  • Amy Dunn
    • $50 
    • 6 yrs
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Organiser

Scott Stolz
Organiser
Brighton, MI

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