Danielle Fights Primary Progressive MS
Imagine waking up one day unable to maintain balance or coordination. Then your vision blurs. Imagine the devastating shock as these symptoms quickly progress to debilitating levels and turn your world upside down. There are no answers from doctors or options to stop and repair damage.
This is Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. This is Danielle’s reality.
A once vibrant and active woman, Danielle was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) in September 2019. Only 15% of those diagnosed with MS have PPMS, this rare form is often more aggressive. With PPMS, symptoms continue to get worse, sometimes rapidly, with few treatment options available. Many people with PPMS end up bedridden, losing even the ability to swallow.
More about PPMS
Danielle is a mother, a wife. She is a daughter, a sister, and a friend. Danielle was pursuing a successful career in communications before experiencing a rapid decline in abilities.
Danielle’s life has changed drastically. She can no longer walk. She is unable to do most activities you and I take for granted - like seeing clearly, texting, taking a shower, or speaking and eating effortlessly. Danielle is in pain 24/7 and requires homecare to look after her daily needs. She requires a Hoyer lift to get out of bed.
Through all of this, Danielle has stayed positive. Her family and friends have not given up hope and have spent hours researching treatments that have the potential to give this vibrant young woman a chance at reclaiming her life and stopping MS.
We have found a treatment called Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). This treatment is the only one of its kind and the only one that’s aim is to halt progression of the disease.
We need your help!
We are trying to raise $80,000 so that Danielle can get HSCT treatment in Mexico. This treatment is not available in Canada for her type of MS and the cost of receiving treatment in Mexico is not covered by Canadian insurance. The sooner we raise funds for Danielle's treatment, the sooner she can go.
Although Danielle meets HSCT acceptance requirements at her current level of disability, her quick progression means this has to happen now.
Please share with family, friends and online networks. Everything helps and is greatly appreciated. Let’s help Danielle reclaim her life.
About HSCT Treatment
HSCT is a chemotherapy based medical procedure that ablates (wipes out) your immune system and later reboots it using your own stem cells harvested from blood or bone marrow.
It is the only medical procedure available that has halted the progression of MS in the majority of patients. It is not 100% guaranteed in halting everyone's disease, but many patients have had success. As the aim of HSCT is to halt progression, any healing of symptoms is a bonus. Some patients see significant healing, others see small healing, and for some, progression is halted while symptomatic recovery does not occur. This is why it is encouraged to have HSCT sooner rather than later.
Learn more about HSCT:
HSCT Mexico
HSCT YouTube video