Watch Above: An amazing update to a man who lost his sight, who has found the only person who could help restore his vision. Jill Croteau has more.
CALGARY- A Calgary man now has a chance at having his sight restored after searching for his long-lost sister for seven years.
Danny Wolsey was told his biological sister holds the DNA that would provide a perfect match for a stem cell implantation that could help him to see.
In December, Brenda Ashton—who was adopted at six weeks old—saw a Global News story about his plight, and contacted Wosley, believing there was a chance he was her brother. Our story included the facts that his sister was born in Calgary in October of 1964 and was later adopted by a Catholic family with four children, which is why Ashton reached out.
DNA testing determined they’re a match.
“He says, ‘Sit down, it’s 100 per cent for sure you are full brother and sister from the same mother and father, and 20 out of 20 DNA markers are identical.’ So our DNA matches right on the button,” said Wolsey.
Wolsey was adopted as a baby and only met his biological mother before she lost her battle with lung cancer.
“The fact I have a brother is icing on the cake…it’s a double win,” said Ashton. “And getting to know each other and sharing things about our lives—that’s how we’re going to bond.”
The genetic match is critical—because it means a surgical miracle is possible. Ashton can donate her stem cells to Wolsey for a procedure that could restore his eyesight.
The stem cell procedure is only covered partially by Alberta Health Services, so the family has started a fundraising website. Click here to learn more.
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