I believe that showing kindness towards strangers can still exist.

A few years back, my best friend Travis (he's the one on the left in the picture) was involved in a horrific accident, falling about 40 feet off a cliff and into a waterfall. Luckily, his cell phone worked even though it had been completely submerged in the water, and he was able to call for help. However, he paid quite a price --- He is now paralyzed from the waist down after his legs were crushed by the fall.

Just recently, Travis found a hospital in China which specializes in stem-cell research that has created a special type of surgery specifically for this kind of condition. Since the accident is still recent enough, this surgery has a good chance of reversing its effects and allowing Travis to be able to walk again after the recovery process. Nothing would make both my friend and me happier than to see this happen. But things like this don't come cheap --- The entire ordeal will cost upwards of about $20,000-25,000. Not a small number, I'm afraid.

I have created a beneficiary fund at a local credit union (University Credit Union in Utah) in order to raise money to help Travis travel to China and get this surgery. I am begging all of you, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, to donate some money to this fund. I'm not asking you to break the bank and give me your life savings or anything --- Even a few dollars would help immensely.

I know I won't know many of you, and I know this is kinda random to all of a sudden be asking you for money. But as you've read, it's for a very good cause, and I want to do whatever I can for my friend before time beats us and nothing can be done at all.

If you're willing to donate any money, please send a PayPal payment to travis_fund@hotmail.com.

Thank you all again for being here and reading this message. Please, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all.

Here's a video of the accident report on the local news:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4m-6kPp_eI

This is one of the miracles of stem cells: A previously blind girl has actually been given sight by having this type of surgery.

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http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2008/09/26/dnt.mo.stem.cell.cure.kmbc?iref=videosearch

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MONEY RAISED AS OF 9/5/2008: ~$465.00 (read less)

I believe that showing kindness towards strangers can still exist.

A few years back, my best friend Travis (he's the one on the left in the picture) was involved in a horrific accident, falling about 40 feet off a cliff and into a waterfall. Luckily, his cell phone worked even though it had been completely submerged in the water, and he was able to call for help. However, he paid quite a price --- He is now paralyzed from the waist down after his legs were crushed by the fall.

Just... (read more)