Community Plans Fundraisers to Help BG Infant

Community Plans Fund Raisers to Help BG Infant's Family Pay Health Expenses



BG Daily NewsVarious organizations will have fundraisers for Bowling Green infant Jackson Blackford, who will soon travel to China to participate in a case study to see if his sight can be restored.Jackson has optic nerve hypoplasia, an underdevelopment of the optic nerve. The study will involve using a transplant of healthy donated umbilical cord stem cells at Beike Bay Stem Cells China. The trip will cost $60,000 for Jackson and his parents, Rachel Stayer and Tommy Blackford - including travel costs, living expenses, treatment and rehabilitation, Stayer said.Fundraisers will include the following:Greenwood High School and Choir will have a special benefit concert at 6 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for ages 12 and under.An auction of donated items from various individuals and businesses, including Eagle Industries, Ashley, Steamboat Salvage, Haverty’s, will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 23 at 208 Dishman Lane.A special showing of the movie “Ray” will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Western Kentucky University’s Mass Media Technology Hall. Dr. Ron Milliman will host the event and donations will be taken for Jackson.Donations can be made to the Jackson T. Blackford Donation Fund at any branch of U.S. Bank.