Plainview has raised more than $28,000 to help one man in his quest to regain mobility with a life-changing stem cell infusion procedure.

A ranch rodeo benefit held Oct. 27 for Kent Winders brought in $26,000 after proceeds from donations, a silent auction, raffle and concessions were tallied. That, combined with earlier donations, means he can pay for the procedure in which stem cells are extracted from his belly fat, harvested, banked and infused into his body.

I, and family and friends, were amazed at the generosity that people displayed, and we were able to meet my need, the 53-year-old who suffers from primary-progressive multiple sclerosis, said. We all wish to say a big thank-you to everyone who helped in any form or fashion.

Winders grew up in Lazbuddie, lived in New Mexico much of his life and has been at the Plainview assisted living facility for over three years to be near son Cory and daughter-in-law Jennifer.

He said there were people participating at the benefit whom he had never seen before.

My gratitude and heart goes out to everyone who helped make that a successful day.

Winders received a modest stem cell treatment in Tijuana, Mexico, in 2001 and saw noticeable improvement to his overall condition. Among them were regaining bladder control and seeing his swollen purple feet return to normal size. The volume of stem cells he received then were 3 million to 5 million, However, stem cell infusions now available in the Houston area could deliver up to 600 million stem cells in multiple injections of 100 million to 150 million each, he said.

Winders and his family have researched stem cell treatment for some time now, and his daughter previously made contact with Hale County native physician Stanley Jones, who performs these procedures in the Houston area.

Hes even talked to Texas State Rep. Rick Hardcastle, who himself has undergone stem cell infusion for MS.

He said youve got to figure out a way to raise the money and do it, Winders recalled.

Excerpt from:
Benefit raises funds for stem cell infusion