StemCell Therapy

Surrounded by family and unexpected friends from afar, Bob B.J. Jenkins exited Triangle Waffle of Dunn to get into his brother Ed Jenkins rented sport utility vehicle to begin a quest for vision renewed.

Mr. Jenkins left Saturday morning on an 11-hour East Coast road trip to Retina Associates in Margate, Fla., to undergo an experimental eyesight operation.

He began to lose his vision more than 17 years ago, by way of macular degeneration, and it has deteriorated to the point of almost complete blindness. After losing sight in his right eye completely, he began to spend a lot of time in consolation with optometrists and eye specialists to save sight in his left eye.

He said he has peripheral vision, but everything in the center of his sight line is a blur. His current vision is 20/400.

He has been seen by opthamologists in Raleigh and Wilmington and through this network, Mr. Jenkins found Retina Associates of south Florida. His surgery is today.

See Surgery, Page 3

B.J. Jenkins, right, left Saturday on an 11-hour East Coast road trip to Margate, Fla. It is there he will undergo an experimental stem cell eyesight procedure costing more than $19,600. He raised funds for the surgery from many individuals and businesses in and around Dunn. His brother, Ed Jenkins, left, is his wheel man and moral support for the trip and todays operation.

Daily Record Photo/Shaun Savarese Surgery

Continued From Page One

Mr. Jenkins set a $22,000 goal that had to be reached in May. With 152 donations, he raised $21,249 in three months.

The money is for travel, room, board and the cost of a stem-cell operation that could possibly give him back his vision.

He said that through his Go-FundMe page and through personal and business donations, his fundraiser averaged a couple of thousand a week.

Though there had been concern over the legitimacy of the eyesight surgeons and operation, Mr. Jenkins was reassured by a guarantee of a refund if the doctors are unable to go through with the surgery.

Mr. Jenkins had a heart full of love before departing Dunn, thanking everyone who donated and raised awareness for his fundraising campaign and promising a chauffeured car ride to The Daily Record staff if the operation is a success.

Shaun Savarese

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Vision Quest: BJ Jenkins' Eye Surgery Today - The Daily Record (registration)

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