An Air Force veteran who deployed 28 times and experienced the rigors of flying jets for the military has dealt with debilitating back and neck pain. He’s sharing his story with the public, hoping stem cell treatments can improve his quality of life.
Robert Madson has joined several veterans and first responders in the Hope 4 Heroes campaign, a national initiative led by the Miracle Hope Foundation. Through an online voting system, supporters can vote for a selected veteran. Whoever collects the most votes receives a week of regenerative stem cell care, paid for by the Miracle Hope Foundation, in Tijuana, Mexico at the Cellular Performance Institute.
Are Stem Cells Safe?
While stem cell treatment is legal in the U.S., the number of clinics that conduct treatments is limited. According to DVC Stem, “The FDA requires stem cell products to undergo rigorous testing or approval before being marketed or sold. While some clinics may offer treatments that circumvent these regulations, the FDA has not approved any stem cell products for general use in the U.S.”
Stem cell products or treatments can’t be legally sold to the public without a stamp of approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Stem cell treatments can also be risky due to the complexity of the cells being used in treatment. Cells can morph into different forms of cells, potentially causing tumors, infections, immune reactions, and contamination.
But for many patients, there are significant benefits to stem-cell therapy, including pain relief, faster healing, lower inflammation, minimal invasiveness, and the potential to thwart future diseases.
The Miracle Foundation’s goal is to help veterans and others battling chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and neurological conditions by providing fully funded treatment.
Voting for the contest is open through Nov. 9. The winner will be chosen on Veterans Day.
Effects of Constant Deployments
Madson, 40, grew up in Barron, Wisconsin, a small town in the northwest part of the Dairy State. He now lives in Florida after retiring from active duty in 2020.
“After growing up in the small town of Barron, Wisconsin, I attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, commissioned as an officer, and became a KC-135 pilot in the United Kingdom,” he wrote in his contest bio. “During that assignment, I volunteered to fly the MC-12 in Afghanistan for roughly a year—during this time, I began developing back and neck pain from repeated (Night Vision Goggles) use and body armor wear inside the cramped cockpit.”
Madson, broad-shouldered and fit, has always enjoyed being active, but constant pain has halted that lifestyle.
“In total, I deployed 28 times while on active duty—a majority of which were to Iraq/Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, and North Africa,” he wrote. “Multiple MRIs later, it was discovered that I have a total of four bulging and two herniated discs in my neck and lower back, along with a host of other associated issues. I managed these as best I could through PT, pain medication, and acceptance that ‘this was the new normal.’”
When other healthcare options were exhausted, Madson thought about stem cell treatments. He’s willing to take the risks to end his pain and hopefully return to the life he enjoyed. The veteran feels strongly that the regenerative process provided through the Hope 4 Heroes contest could also bring back most of his lost mobility.
“The last few years have been spent flying for United Airlines along with the Reserves, but recently I had to step away from aviation completely due to the pain,” Madson wrote. “Epidural injections, shots, large doses of steroid medications, etc., have failed to help, and I'm now quickly becoming bedridden with sciatic nerve pain and loss of muscle control in my left leg. Walking, sitting, and other basic functions are sometimes impossible. I'm becoming desperate, and neurosurgeons are recommending multiple surgeries ranging from microdiscectomies/laminectomies to fusions.
“Stem cell treatment has always been my priority, but the high costs have precluded me from being able to utilize its benefits. This opportunity, if I'm lucky enough to be selected, may potentially reverse this downward spiral of pain and suffering that has recently taken hold.”
Your Chance to Vote
Madson’s story was carried in the Barron-News Shield, the veteran’s hometown newspaper. He’s hoping the community he grew up in will rally around his cause and help send him to Mexico for treatments.
Contest rules state that voters do not have to buy anything or donate to vote. Miracle Hope Foundation reimburses medical providers for stem cell treatments.
Cindy Kaufman Madson, the veteran’s mom, sent an email to supporters, urging them to vote every day through Nov. 9.
“He is disheartened, but I told him—we can do this,” Kaufman Madson wrote in the email. “With all the amazing people and organizations voting and sharing again, we can get the top votes.”
If you wish to support Madson, votes can be placed at hope4heroes.org/rmadson. More information about the campaign is included at miraclehopefoundation.org/healourheroes.
