'A Capella at the Point' concert to raise money for stem cell research

[manouli]

'A Capella at the Point' concert to raise money for stem cell research


NATHAN JOHNSON - Daily Herald

Travis Ashton by all accounts is a remarkable young man.
Unable to speak or use his right arm after a car accident, Travis, now 17, manages his high school basketball, baseball and football teams, and he wants to serve an LDS mission when he is able. His mother, Missy Ashton, says that Travis's "one last wish is to speak again so he can serve a mission."

The family believes the key to Travis speaking is harbored in stem cells.

The Ashton family is planning to take Travis to Hangzhou, China, for stem cell treatments that are not available in the United States.

The costs of treatment are expected to be in the range of $50,000. To help defray these sharp costs, the Ashton family is holding a benefit concert on Saturday at Thanksgiving Point.

The Concert is being called, "A Capella at the Point" and will feature a capella groups such as Noteworthy, Logan Heftel, Blue Cheese, Flink and Eminece, and also the Comedy Group HumorU.

Missy said that the family has received nothing but support from the community. She noted that even U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, mentioned Travis on a speech on the floor of the Senate. Hatch used Travis as an example of how stem cell research is benefiting his constituents.

American Fork, Lone Peak, Lehi and Pleasant Grove high schools are getting into the act as well, holding contests to see who can sell the most tickets.

The family also reports that a local businessman who wishes to remain anonymous has offered to match all the funds raised by the school that sells the most tickets.

Travis's procedure will involve injecting adult stem cells, harvested from umbilical cords, into the cerebral fluid of Travis's brain. The hope is that the cells will regrow damaged portions of his brain and allow him again to speak.

Orem teen Tori Schmanski, who was also severely injured in a car accident, completed a similar treatment in Hangzhou about two months ago. Tori's father, Tim Schmanski, said that they are beginning to see results from the process; however, he said it usually takes two to six months to see improvements.

MORE:

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/217610/4/

[-scott-]

Originally Posted by manouli

The Concert is being called, "A Capella at the Point" and will feature a capella groups such as Noteworthy, Logan Heftel, Blue Cheese, Flink and Eminece, and also the Comedy Group HumorU.

this is cool - I keep up with some of the collegiate a capella scene & know Noteworthy's stuff. check their myspace: www.myspace.com/noteworthyladies

I have my opinions about $50k going towards such a treatment, but to each their own I guess.

[Wise Young]

Please post funding, legislative, and advocacy information in the appropriate forum. Thanks. Wise.