Please Help Dora fight MS!

Dora is 48 years old and is of Cook Island and Pakeha descent. Dora was born in Aitutaki, Cook Islands and was raised in Aotearoa. She is an selfless mother and grandmother to her 5 children and 3 grandchildren.

Dora is a solo mother who raised her children predominantly on her own, worked extensive hours so her children could participate in sports throughout the country and overseas and managed to do this while attaining her bachelors degree of teaching at Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Dora dedicated her life to her children and planned to start focussing on herself when her children were no longer dependent on her.

However in 2016 Dora was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

By 2019 she could no longer walk and was requried to leave work.

When initially diagnosed she did not qualify for treatment. By the time she qualified for treatment, it was already too late and made no difference. Her MS continued to progress rapidly and very little had been put in place between 2016 to 2019 to improve her quality of life and reduce the severe spasms and extreme fatigue that comes with this condition.

Her mental and emotional well-being is tested each and every day as she can no longer carry out basic daily activities such as showering and toileting on her own.

Dora is currently at level 6.5 on the MS scale. The scale ends at level 8.

She now only has the use of her arms and fingers, however these are already extremely weak.

Dora has been informed by her nuerologist that she may qualify for a trial beginning in August however this is not guaranteed as Pharmac (drug complany) would prefer candidates who are more likely to succeed from engaging in the trial.

Dora and her family have entrusted in experts and speacilists in hope for a better quality of life and a chance to see her grandchildren grow. However she is now willing to try anything that may provide her with this opportunity:

Stem Cell Treatment

The aim of this treatment is to “reset” the immune system, so that it will stop attacking the person’s own central nervous system. This has been operating for over 10 years and some MS patients have had very successful outcomes. The cost for this is around 50K. Removing the expense barrier could be life changing for Dora and her family.

Traditional Method of Healing

Dora would also like to try a more traditional method healing in Aitutaki, Cook Islands. Many people of the Cook Islands who have engaged in this method of healing have had successful outcomes. Given that Dora is immobile, she will require appropriate transport, housing, equipment and carer support in order to travel to Aitutaki.

Any donations will be appreciated and remebered by Dora and her family.