Large-hearted rocker Sir Rod Stewart is paying for a younger fan to obtain pioneering therapy within the US for a uncommon genetic dysfunction. After assembly at a charity public sale on Thursday, the singing legend supplied to dig deep and assist Abi Evans, 20, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and is unable to stroll.
After catching Rod’s eye, he came visiting to speak. Abi, who’s coaching with the Purple Arrows to be a pilot, mentioned: “Rod was dashing by the room and I caught his gaze. He came visiting and I launched myself.
“I instructed him I’ve bought a uncommon situation. He instantly needed to listen to extra. I defined all about Ehlers-Danlos, that it was degenerative, that I’ve a paralysed abdomen and nerve harm in my legs which suggests I can’t stroll, however there was a risk of therapy overseas that would make me higher.”
That’s when Rod broke the information that would change Abi’s life.
“He’s sending me to get stem cell therapy in America,” Abi mentioned. “And greater than that he’s going to assist in numerous different methods.
“I defined how a uncommon situation like mine massively advantages from consciousness, that results in advances in analysis. He understood that and together with his profile mentioned he would assist.
“He cherished my story, he additionally needs to make life a bit higher for different folks with the situation as effectively.
“He can share what’s wanted with the general public. We additionally mentioned that if the medical consultants there can do any analysis on me, which will in the end assist different folks with the situation as effectively.”
Rod, 78, who additionally lately paid for folks to have scans at his native NHS hospital, was attending a fundraising public sale for the psychological well being charity My Black Canine, in Canary Wharf, east London, when he met Abi.
Chatting with the Sunday Categorical, Rod mentioned: “The night was pretty, it was good to be there. Abi is a superb lady, I cherished our time collectively and it is going to be nice to have the ability to assist her.”
Researchers in America are pioneering a brand new therapy that grows pores and skin cells utilizing stem cells which have the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome gene mutations eliminated.
The hope is these modified stem cells will develop new cells in areas the place there’s irritation and restore operate to broken joints.
Abi first began having problems from the illness at 15 and abdomen paralysis meant she needed to have a feeding tube inserted.
“I didn’t know what it was till I used to be 17. I instructed Rod about my flying scholarship – I’ve been coaching with the Purple Arrows – and he was actually .
“Simply to have his assist and perception is wonderful, by no means thoughts the journey and medical assist.”
Abi first took management within the cockpit when she was 19 and mentioned it had been her childhood dream. She utilized to Flying Scholarships for Disabled Individuals in 2019 and was chosen for coaching in Lincolnshire with the RAF’s show staff.
Rod even bought the footwear off his toes to lift money on the night time, mentioned host and DJ Eddy Temple-Morris.
“Rod was unimaginable, a pressure of nature,” he mentioned.
“Jeffrey Archer, who was our auctioneer, actually charmed the footwear off his toes and spontaneously auctioned them off for £4,500.”
