Jacky Martin Special Needs

About this campaign

Hey there race fans, I have a new update from Team Jacky:

The first of several treatments has taken place in CA after an eventful road trip from Oklahoma. Several wonderful folks helped get their lift-equipped RV in driving condition, and Tracey managed to safely bust through monsoons, strong winds, hail, sleet, and dust storms to land safely in CA, just in time! Now time to begin the next chapter to improve Jacky's quality of LIFE.

As with any traumatic injury, comes the unfortunate secondary injury of lack of insurance coverage. In this case, stem cell treatment is still not considered conventional medicine, and is not covered, putting the financial burden on the Martins. The protocol set to last over the next two years, is estimated to be $250,000.

This new chapter begins with intensive physical therapy. According to Tracey, the first goal is to "wean off ventilator and then concentrate on gaining voluntary movement,...strengthening. More breathing trials to work on strengthening core/diaphragm." They are hoping to acquire an RT600 (Restorative Therapies machine) to aid in enhancing his activity level, and stimulate his body systems.

"New Day, New Goal" says Tracey. Every day brings with it countless challenges, and so our goal is to continue to raise money for this revolutionary treatment in hopes to improve Jacky's life.

I hope we can all do our best to give back to Jacky, for the countless rides he took for us as race horse owners, and race fans! "RT 600" FOR JACKY ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN Q-RACING JOURNAL—OCTOBER 1, 2014—Jacky Martin is scheduled undergo stem-cell therapy this month at the California Stem Cell Treatment Center in La Jolla, California.“Jacky has been accepted into a program for stem-cell therapy,” said his wife, Tracey. “It’s a one-day, out-patient treatment therapy. This is not a high-profile program, but there are 3,000 (patients) waiting in line, and Jacky has gotten the last slot available.”

Jacky Martin was critically injured and left a quadriplegic from a spill in a race at Ruidoso Downs on September 2, 2011. At the time of the accident, the seven-time winner of the All American Futurity (G1) was the sport’s all-time leading jockey, having ridden the earners of more than $46.4 million. He still is the second-leading rider.

“There have been angels working in the wings on Jacky’s behalf,” Tracey said. “What has been accomplished is beyond our wildest dreams! We thank ‘Our Angels’ for their relentless campaigning for Jacky to get a chance at a better quality of life.

“Jacky has been chosen to receive stem-cell therapy,” she said. “His spot is an extremely special one, in that it is the last one of 10 allocated by the FDA. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the most important birthday gift he’ll ever receive!”

There is a glitch. The Martins do not have the funds for the handicapped-equipped vehicle necessary to take Jacky to California.

“On to Plan B!” Tracey said. “Our target number is $65,000. And over the weekend (at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale), $25,000 of that was covered.