Stem Cell Research Helps Canadian Boy See Light

Are you or a loved one interested in receiving stem cell treatment? For free information, please fill out our treatment form or email me don@repairstemcells.org and just put TREATMENT in the subject box and the MEDICAL CONDITION in the message.

Thanks to advancements in Adult Stem Cell research, a Canadian boy has been able to improve his eyesight. Jakob Bielskis, a young boy from Calgary, Canada, was the first Canadian to go to China to receive stem cell treatment for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia- a disease that affects children when their optic nerve fails to develop leaving the child blind for life. Before the stem cell therapy in China, there was no treatment for this condition.

Jakob was first featured in July, 2008 in this stem cell blog. We announced he was going to China to become the first Canadian to be treated for Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. He was following in the footsteps of other children who have seen amazing improvements thanks to the Adult Stem Cells.

Before the Stem Cell Treatment:

• Couldn't see at all


• No response to light

After the Cord Blood Stem Cells Were Implanted:

• Has some vision, can respond to visual information


• Responds to light

Were the Adult Stem Cells Worth It?

More from the stem cell article:

That the $75,000 stem-cell transplant (Don- THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE FOLKS IN CHINA HAVE BEEN LOWERING THEIR PRICE---A LOT---SINCE HIS TREATMENT. THE TOTAL COST TODAY, INCLUDING AIRFARE AND LIVING FACILITIES IS AROUND $30,000, OR 60% LESS THAN THE "OLD DAYS!" FOR INFORMATION ON STEM CELL TREATMENTS FOR 100+ DISEASES AVAILABLE IN 2009, CLICK FOR STEM CELL TREATMENTS NOW) was worth it is of no question to the one-year-old's mom -- Villeneuve says her older boy's life has been altered since the therapy, covered by fundraising.

"He grabs at these flashing balls we have to hold up for him," said Villeneuve.

"We tested him with them a million times before, and nothing -- now he reaches out and grabs at them."

There are hopeful signs he is seeing and understanding things around him.

"He plays peek-a-boo and covers his eyes, and he's blowing kisses by putting his hand to his mouth," she said.

"How else could he know how to do that?"

Saving Umbilical Cord Blood For More Stem Cell Treatment

The doctors in China told the Bielskis that Jakob would probably benefit from a second round of cord blood stem cells.  Therefore, Jakob's mother recently had a child and saved the umbilical cord blood.    Now, that cord blood is being stored in Vancouver and waiting for when the Bielskis decide to give Jakob his second stem cell treatment with hopes for more improvement.

Another Stem Cell Success Story

Jakob Bielski now becomes the latest addition to our "club" of children who have been to China for stem cell therapy for their Optic Nerve Hypoplasia and the closely related Septo-Optic Dysplasia and then come back to the United States, UK (and now Canada) with better vision and other benefits to their development.

Just last week, we added Dakota Clarke , her mom said "It’s been worth every single penny to see the changes in her.”

A few weeks ago we added Macie Morse who can now see well enough to drive after her stem cell therapy.

And before that Coby Fend's mother said "“We are talking about going back — we’d almost be crazy not to, because right now it’s the best thing going in the entire world.”

And we also had Connor Corkern - He's doing great. He is doing wonderful. It's like we've got a totally new baby, Coye Corkern said

We had Cameron Petersen - Grandma Petersen said "There was nothing for Cameron before this treatment. Now, his world is limitless.”

Lydia Black-  From her father - "the treatment is already having a huge effect on her life, and he is glad that she was able to receive stem cell treatment in China. "

Lydia Olmstead and Rylea Barlett - "After her second treatment, we started to notice a change,”

Savannah Watring - “She said hello to herself in an elevator (after seeing her reflection). It blew everyone away. We weren’t expecting that.”

Hayley Pelletier- “If there’s a laptop within three to four feet of her, she knows it is a laptop,” Heather said. “That’s huge.”

Xavier Carballo- Xavier’s ophthalmologist, Dr. Jack Guggino of Tampa, said he did a baseline exam on the boy before the trip to China and after his return. He said before the treatment Xavier could only detect hand motion at 1 to 2 feet, and after the treatment he could count fingers at 3 to 4 feet.

“As far as Xavier is concerned, there has been definite and measurable improvement, neurologically and ophthalmologically,” Guggino said.

If you or someone you know has a similar condition, please go to our Repair Stem Cell Institute website and we will provide stem cell treatment information.