Help Tara Participate in MS Trial

Those of us who have known Tara, like myself, know her as the friend who shows up to be in weddings, helps you move, plans baby showers and surprises you with a spa day on your birthday because she knows you’d never do it for yourself.  Funny, witty, beautiful soul. That’s our Tara. 


When she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 18 years ago, it seemed unthinkable that anything could slow her down, or dampen the light that her spirit has showered onto so many of us. But this disease is strong and her fight needs our help. Traditional treatments have done little to slow down the plaques growing on her brain or assist with limiting the neurological damage caused by the disease. Thankfully she has been selected to take part in a trial study at Northwestern Medical University in Chicago run by Dr. Burt. Only 200 people have been chosen for this phase 3 trial which will include chemotherapy and stem cell replacement. Tara’s doctors are hopeful her disease will respond well, but none of this is free. Insurance pays for 80% of the treatment but she needs financial assistance to pay for travel, her hospital stay, lodging for her mother and caretaker Patricia (Patty) Gilmore, as well as additional follow-up testing after the trial. 

For the woman that has always shown up for us for us when we needed her, let’s show her our support now.