Help Us Give Riki a Fighting Chance – HSCT for Primary progressive MS

Kia ora whānau and friends,

I’m reaching out for help to give my husband, Riki, a chance at a better future. He’s only 36 but is battling Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)—a disease that’s slowly taking away his independence.

Riki has always been full of energy, passionate about sports, and the fun uncle running around with his nieces and nephews. He also had to give up his dream job as a firefighter because MS meant he could no longer meet the physical demands. Now, even walking is a struggle.

Most heartbreaking is how this affects our kids, Mila (7) and Wiremu (5). Riki is an incredible dad, but MS is taking away the simple joys—playing at the park, carrying them on his shoulders, and being as active as he wants to be.

There’s no cure for PPMS, but Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation- (HSCT) offers real hope of stopping it in its tracks. It’s not available in NZ, so Riki must travel to Mexico (Clinica Ruiz, Puebla). We need to raise $120,000 to cover the treatment, flights, and other costs—with no government support, we’re fundraising because money shouldn’t be the only thing standing between Riki and a better future. Some very generous people have also donated directly to us, if you would like to donate directly, please reach out for our details.

If you can donate or share this page, we’d be so grateful.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Frances, Mila, Wiremu and whānau