Source: Fredericksburg.com

King George family raising money a second time to go to China for controversial stem-cell treatments

A King George County  family is raising funds a second time in hopes of returning to China for a controversial stem-cell treatment for their blind loved one.

Mandy and Beth Allison are the mother and grandmother of 2-year-old Summer Grace, who spent 33 days in a Chinese hospital in November and December.

The Allisons hoped the eight treatments would grow the girl's optic nerve, which didn't develop on its own. She has a rare disorder called septo-optic dysplasia.

Halfway through the stem-cell treatments--which aren't approved in the United States--Summer could follow the ray of a flashlight in a darkened room, something she had never done before.

Since she's been home, she's continued to improve, the Allisons said. She can see light in both dark and bright areas, as well as objects a few inches from her face. Once, when her mother was sending a text message, Summer snatched the cell phone out of her hand.

When her grandmother recently held a thick yellow ink pen in front of Summer's face, the child leaned forward, with her mouth open, as if it were something to eat.

At this point, the Allisons believe Summer has progressed as much as she will from the first course of treatment. That's why they're raising money again for a second trip which they hope to make in the spring.

Before their first visit, the Allisons were told that travel and hospital expenses totaled about $50,000. They plan to save money any way they can, by flying in coach instead of first class and by taking dried food, such as rice, soup and mashed potatoes to fix for themselves when in China.

Beth Allison is a nurse who works two part-time jobs. She devotes the salary from one job to Summer's account and has saved $13,000.

Beike Biotechnology, an American company in China that does the treatments, is offering a $6,700 discount to patients who return within 18 months of their first visit. That means the Allisons have to raise about $22,000.

Beth Allison hates the fact that her granddaughter's health comes down to a matter of money.

"I feel like she's blind because we can't afford to give her sight," she said. "It makes me sick in my soul."

She and her daughter had some doubts before the first trip to China. Beike company officials say nearly 90 percent of almost 4,000 patients with ailments from autism to multiple sclerosis noted some improvement from the stem-cell treatments, but the company won't allow clinical trials.

A 2008 story in an online magazine for "active wheelchair users" called the company's work a "scam" and said it was overcharging Americans and Europeans for services.

Beth Allison initially worried she'd have to come home after the first trip and tell supportive friends and community members that she'd been "duped."

Not anymore.

"I know it works, I've seen it in China, and I've seen it in my own home," she said. "It's real. They're making miracles over there."

Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
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Donations may be sent to Sight for Summer Grace, Union First Market Bank, Box 81, King George, Va. 22485. There's also a Sight for Summer Grace page on Facebook.