Amy's fight to keep smyelin

I woke up on my 20th birthday in 2013 numb down the right hand side of my body. One month, 2 MRI's and 7 lumbar punctures later - I was diagnosed with MS. My life changed!

I have gone from having little to no understanding of MS to having my life and health ruled by it. In only 13 months I have had 5 relapses and now suffer from weakness, sensory loss, tingling/electric sensations, pain, severe fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Reduced hand eye coordination and memory loss have at least given me an excuse for being clumsy and forgetful but what I really want, what I crave, is a future, something I took for granted for twenty years.

I have recently been put forward for funding of beta interferon which involves injecting myself with an immunosuppressant daily. This treatment works to reduce relapses but has not fully kept my relapses or my symptoms at bay. It only delays the inevitable decline.

A revolutionary stem cell transplant has been developed to reset your immune system and halt disease progression. I've spoken to several people who have undergone the transplant who are doing incredibly well and are living lives they only dreamt of when MS ruled their world. Many others who have received this treatment are still well over 5 years later. This is available in several places but the cheapest option is Moscow, Russia.

Donations will be used for flights to and from Moscow and for the cost of the treatment and stem cell transplant. This 5 week treatment involves strong doses of chemotherapy that will compromise and potentially permanently destroy my fertility. If sufficient donations are received some will be used to receive fertility treatment before chemo to increase the possibility of one day having a family of my own.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this. It is my goal, as well as fundraising, to spread awareness of MS and this revolutionary treatment.

Thank you