This is my brother-in-law  Shawn Smith.  He is likely the most giving, unselfish individual I've ever met.  Shawn has Scleroderma.  Scleroderma is a group of rare diseases that involve the tightening of the skin and connective tissues.  There is no cure for Scleroderma.  In Shawn's case, Scleroderma has harmed his internal organs and digestive tract.  Shawn has been suffering with symptoms of this disease since 1998.  He underwent a double lung transplant on July 7, 2008.  Since that time, he has been on anti-rejection medications that have done significant damage to his kidneys.  He dialyzes overnight via a peritoneal cavity created in his abdomen.  He is currently on the kidney transplant list. 

His physicians have recommended he recieve a stem cell transplant.  In clinical trials, stem cell transplants have been showing very good potential to stop the continued damage of Scleroderma and to repair some or all of the damage caused by the disease. 

Shawn is such a wonderful father.  I want to give him the chance to see his two  beautiful daughters marry and have families of their own.  I love him and his family so much.   You may know that he continues to work full time, but that his company, Verizon is currently on strike.  Personally financing this procedure is something Shawn and his family can't afford at this time.  I thank you for any donation you can make to offset the cost of his stem cell procedure.  You are all wonderful, amazing and giving people.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I know Shawn does too, but he would never ask for any help.