Local Family Hopes Trip To China Will Give Daughter Sight

Third-grader Lexi Smith loves to dance and get her nails done. Her favorite color is pink, but she has never seen that color because she is blind.

Smith, 9, was born with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, the leading cause of blindness in children.

Now her mother is raising funds to travel to China for a procedure not approved in the United States.

Smith will have umbilical cord stem cell infusions, a procedure that can regenerate cells and possibly offer her sight.

“Before, everyone gave up. This gives us hope,” said Smith’s mother.

Through friends, family and strangers, the family has raised thousands. They need $50,000 to make their dream a reality.

The girl's family is sponsoring a boot drive on Main Street in Evans City for the next few days. They're doing whatever it takes to raise the money for medical and travel expenses.

For more detailed information on Smith and the treatment, visit her Web site www.lexisfirstsight.com.