I am raising funds to fight the progression of MS. With your help I will undergo HSCT - the only treatment shown to halt MS in its tracks.
Auckland
“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one” - Bruce Lee
Over the past 14 years I have experienced an array of symptoms due to Multiple Sclerosis; partial loss of eyesight, loss of balance and vertigo, shooting electrical shocks throughout my spine, cognitive issues, tingling/burning/icy sensations and numbness, mild to extreme fatigue and over the past 18 months, increasing mobility problems. MS will slowly continue to steal away my quality of life if I do not undergo HSCT. I have so much to live for and my young family deserve a mother who is there, fully, capable, strong - no matter what they need from me. With your help I will fly to Russia for the only treatment which has been shown to halt MS in its tracks.
What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis is a long-lasting, autoimmune disease that affects the brain, spinal cord, and central nervous system. It can cause problems with vision, balance, muscle control and other basic body functions.
MS causes your immune system to attack the fatty material called myelin, which wraps around your nerve fibres to protect them. Without this outer shell, your nerves become damaged. Scar tissue may form.
The damage means your brain can’t send signals through your body correctly. Your nerves also don’t work as they should to help you move and feel. In people with MS, the immune system, which normally helps to fight off infections, mistakes myelin for a foreign body and attacks it. This damage disrupts messages travelling along nerve fibres – they can slow down, become distorted, or not get through at all. The longer you leave it before having treatment, the more nerve damage you experience. Without being too melodramatic, HSCT really is my only hope.
I am lucky to have been accepted to receive Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation [aHSCT] at The A.A. Maximov Hematology and Cell Therapy Department of the National Pirogov Medical Surgical Centre in Moscow. This treatment is not available in NZ and is only offered in a small number of places throughout the world.
HSCT is a gruelling procedure that will take me away from my family for 4 debilitating weeks. It will be the hardest thing I will ever endure but with my deteriorating physical and cognitive functions, the results will be life changing. It offers myself and my family the hope of combating this illness and finding a way forward.
The treatment and related costs for this will be up to as much as NZ$100,000
What will happen?
After receiving medication to stimulate stem cell growth (4-6 days), healthy stem cells will be ‘harvested’ from my body (1-3 days) and frozen for a short period of time. I will undergo a 4 day course of intensive chemotherapy to completely destroy the autoimmune T-cells that are responsible for the nervous tissue damage. My stem cells are then transplanted back into my body and, during a 12 day period of isolation, my body will begin to build a brand new immune system, MS free.
My unreserved gratitude to my supporters and benefactors in this crusade. I cannot achieve my goal without your backing. Thank you.
For donations from the UK, please see:
I have relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis. My Give A Little campaign aims to raise funds to enable me to undergo HSCT - a treatment that will stop the progression of this insidious illness.
Regrettably, HSCT expenses and associated costs (MRI scans, travel, post-treatment medication) will total in excess of NZ$95,000. It is hard to have to ask for help, but I am unable to do this without assistance. Any excess funds will be donated to the MS Society.
Thank you
Oh my darling, thank you!!! Your generosity and kindness is overwhelming. Thanks to your gorgeous little family for this amazing support. Sending you lots of love xxxxxx Faye xxxxxx
Thank you so much for your generosity and support!! Much appreciated! Best wishes, Faye x
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.