Crystal Jones, a Chicago woman, has regained her sight after receiving stem cells from her deceased father in a groundbreaking transplant procedure. Born with underdeveloped eyes that eventually led to blindness, Jones had been exploring the possibility of a stem cell transplant to improve her vision. However, due to her father’s diabetes and recent cataract surgery, they initially did not consider him as a potential donor.
Jones’ father, who was also facing the prospect of going blind himself, turned out to be a perfect match for the transplant. Shortly after his passing, Jones received his stem cells in both of her eyes, granting her the gift of sight. The procedure, carried out by the nonprofit eye bank network Eversight, marks the first instance of a recipient receiving cells from a deceased parent.
In an interview with Fox 32 Chicago, Jones expressed her gratitude and described the experience as bittersweet. She stated, “It was kind of an amazing thing that after he passed he was able to bless me with sight. So it’s bittersweet. I love him and I appreciate him, and I know he’s dancing in heaven so excited that he was able to donate his stem cells to me.”
According to Diane Hollingsworth, the CEO and President of Eversight, cases like Jones’ demonstrate the potential for individuals who are blind but have a healthy cornea to provide the gift of sight to others. Each donor has the ability to help two additional people regain their vision.
Since the procedure, Jones has experienced a remarkable improvement in her vision, allowing her to read and see her family members clearly. Overjoyed and grateful, she described the outcome as a miracle.
The story of Crystal Jones and her father’s selfless gift serves as a testament to the power of stem cell transplantation in restoring sight and the immense impact it can have on individuals’ lives. Through this remarkable procedure, Jones has been given a second chance to see the world around her.
