Gemmas Stem Cell Journey

Asking for help is not something that comes easy to us, or that is done without knowing the financial stress and burden that we are all under, but we need your help.

Many of you will know Gemma through me, Shane, her husband or through her work in various nursing settings. From ICU, Coronary Care or in her role working within Palliative Care, where for several years she has felt truly at home caring for members of our community and their families in their darkest days.

It was at work Gemma took unwell in August 2023. After a frightening few days and countless investigations Gemma was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This diagnosis hit us hard, especially as I am already registered as severely sight impaired (blind). It often makes me wonder how much tough luck one family can endure.

Since her diagnosis, Gemma has started on disease-modifying drugs, but unfortunately, the results have been limited, and the side effects are difficult to bear.

In our search for other options, we discovered a treatment called HSCT (haematopoitic stem cell therapy), which uses high-dose chemotherapy and stem cells to essentially reboot the immune system and aim for remission from MS. While this treatment is currently on trial within the NHS, Gemma doesn’t meet the criteria, and going private would exceed £100,000—something we simply cannot afford.

Fortunately, we have found a highly regarded clinic in Mexico that offers this treatment at a more feasible cost. However, we still face significant expense, including travel and accommodation for at least a month while our four children stay with family.

With a heavy heart, I reach out to all of you—family, friends, acquaintances, and even kind strangers—to help us reach our goal. Your support can make a meaningful difference in Gemma's fight against this debilitating condition, allowing us to gain some control back in our lives.

A special word of thanks to those MS warriors who are continuing to fight this condition day in and day out with us. It is no easy task living with the challenge of this complicated illness and its so often invisible symptoms. Your kind words and support are invaluable.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering our request.

#HelpGemma #FightMS #CommunitySupport #Hope #MSAwareness #TogetherWeCan #FamilyFirst

Shane & Gemma