Source: Daily Times

SLOVAN - Michael Kwasniewski, 20, a resident of Joffre and a Burgettstown High School senior, was the recipient of an outpouring of community support Dec. 5 at a benefit held to defray his medical expenses at the Slovan Veterans of Foreign Wars hall.

After years of believing that Michael would never see because of optic nerve hypoplasia, a condition he was born with, his parents found hope in stem cell treatments in China.

Ksenia and Gordon Kwasniewski, Michael's parents, said they had learned when Michael was six months old that he would be blind while he was being treated for an unrelated heart condition, also present at birth.

"His eyes were crossed," said Ksenia. "They told us to get it checked again when he was a year old. But, when we went for his heart murmur, the doctor told us not to wait any longer." However, through a network of friends and family, Ksenia learned earlier this year about stem cell treatments that could help improve Michael's sight and his learning disabilities. She determined that the best place for treatments was China after research, including attending several conferences on stem cell research throughout the country, speaking to others who had experience with the therapy and visiting the Web site www.stemcellschina.com.

"I came home from work, and she told me, 'I'm going to China,'" said Gordon.

Ksenia said there was no time to wait, as the younger the patient is, the more effective the treatment. While Michael was undergoing several tests to determine his eligibility for the procedure, including MRIs, it was discovered that Michael also has septo optic dysplaysia.

At the Qindao Hospital, Ksenia, Michael and Ksenia's father, Arthur Talpas, met many others from across the world also undergoing stem cell treatments for a variety of conditions, including spinal injuries, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. The stem cells were extracted from umbilical cord blood from live births.

Ksenia explained that the stem cells were extracted in the morning, tested for abnormalities, then used in treatments by that afternoon.

"They are fresh," she said. "The stem cells travel to the damaged area."

Ksenia and Gordon said they had seen an improvement in both Michael's cognitive abilities and his sight, but Ksenia said that it is likely that Michael will have to return to China for additional procedures, because his optic nerves were so atrophied. Although it can take up to six months to see results, the Kwasniewskis have seen improvements in less than a months, noting that Michael had returned from China on Oct. 15 and they noticed progress by early November. They are excited about the potential of additional improvements and treatments.

Ksenia spoke about the future of stem cell therapy, saying she and Michael had met a European man who was paralyzed from the neck down, but after stem cell therapy, he could move his arms and had feeling again in his legs, although he can not yet move them.

"There were so many people, with all different problems," she said. "They were all there for the stem cells."

Some of the most difficult things was surmounting the language barrier, especially when grocery shopping - Chinese hospitals do not provide meals - and being away from family for so long, including the couple's younger son, said Ksenia.

She and Michael stayed in China for more than a month, and the trip cost approximately $40,000.

Ksenia and Gordon said they hoped to be able to return to China for additional therapy.

Family friend Lisa Golonka organized the benefit.

"She called me and said, 'don't be mad, but I want to do something,'" said Ksenia, who admitted that she finds it difficult to ask others for assistance.

The couple said they were overwhelmed by the "amazing, wonderful" response from the community to their need.

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