Nat's MS Treatment in Russia

We are fundraising for Natalie Adams HSCT treatment in Russia

Treatment

My name is Nat and I am on a journey to Russia for HSCT treatment to rid myself of MS and regain my life!!!

I am a 38 year old, solo mother of 2 beautiful girls, Issy 9 and Tovah 8, from New Zealand.

I was diagnosed with RRMS in 2011 at the age of 32 after an episode of Optic Neuritis in my right eye. After diagnosis I decided to move back to NZ (from Australia) to have more family support. I had no idea when making this decision that it would mean no medication, as the criteria for the much needed DMD (disease modifying drug) was different to that of Australia, and I did not qualify!!!

At the end of 2014 the criteria here in NZ was finally changed, but still they wanted me to actually suffer ANOTHER relapse before putting me on the meds. Was just crazy and I had now been 3 years diagnosed with no treatment.

I was of pretty good health MS wise, until suffering my worst relapse to date, in April 2017, resulting in damage to my spinal cord this time and further damage to my brain. Finally I was started on the med Gilenya (fingolimod) in July of this year. My disease is now progressing and it’s scary!!

Although I have recovered from the original symptoms, I have been left suffering from fatigue so badly, and my cognitive function is terrible, everyday is a struggle. Everyday I now know I have MS!!

Desperate for a solution, not just for myself but for my girls too, I made the hardest decision of my life. I applied for a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Russia. It is a 4-5 week treatment in Russia with around 100 days home isolation on my return to NZ, while my immune system begins to re-build.

The results from this treatment have been amazing but it comes at a cost.... $100,000 nzd is what I will need to raise, to cover all costs involved. My admission date is 27th August 2018, so that leaves me just 9 months to do it.

Please help me get there and get my life back!!!

Nat xx

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Use of Funds:

For Full treatment, Flights, accommodation, living costs after the return to NZ from Russia until Nat is back to good health.