Help a Devoted Mom Keep Her Sight and Mobility

My daughter, Eva, is a happily married mother of three. From the time she was a young child, she has always been active, energetic, and determined. A few years ago, this all changed.

She is fighting Multiple Sclerosis, a progressive disease that's already taking her vision and mobility. MS causes the immune system to attack the central nervous system, affecting various parts of the body, depending on where the lesions develop in the brain or spine.

Family Escape Room success!

She recently experienced a frightening fall when her legs suddenly gave out—an unexpected reminder that her condition is deteriorating. She has had optic neuritis twice and recovered, but now her vision is slowly declining independent of new MRI activity, which means progression.

Tests confirm optic nerve is narrowing

Eva has been on medications that only slow her disease, but don't stop it. The strongest ones also take away part of her immune system, leaving her vulnerable to every cold or flu going around.

Elena shares a hospital bed with her mom while she receives IV steroids to calm inflammation during an 8+hr ER visit

Her youngest daughter, now 11, is incredibly sweet and still adores cuddling with her mom, but tends to catch just about every bug going around. Eva found herself pulling away from the one who needed her most, just to stay as healthy as she possibly could.

Eva and Elena, her silly little snuggle bug

So, a year and a half ago, she made the brave decision to stop them—because living in fear of her own family, especially her daughter, was no way to live.

Now, she's preparing for a treatment that will make her very immune compromised at first—four rounds of chemo—but it offers real hope. Within months, she should be back at work. Within a year, she could have a new immune system—one that doesn't turn against her.

No more immune-compromising medications. No more fear. Just healing, strength, and finally, safe, worry-free cuddles with the daughter who never stopped reaching for her.

There's a promising treatment called Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT). It has an 80% chance of halting her MS and a 40% chance it could even improve her condition. 

The sooner she has the transplant done, the better her chances for a positive outcome. Without it, her MS will likely continue to steal her vision and leave her in a wheelchair.

With this treatment, she will no longer need these risky infusions and won't need to step away from a hug anymore.

We originally thought Mexico was our only option. Eva has recently been approved for a consultation with Dr Richard Burt in La Jolla, California. 

Dr Burt has extensive experience using HSCT for patients with multiple sclerosis. Although it may take several months, Dr Burt is often able to convince insurance to cover the cost of treatment. 

This makes our fundraising goal considerably less! So, we’ve adjusted our goal from $77,000 to $15,000 to cover travel expenses and to help with living expenses while Eva recovers. She will be out of work for 4-6 months. Blood work will determine when she has recovered enough to return to work.  



We know that this is a huge amount to ask for, but every little bit will help to keep Eva on her feet. Please help us give Eva the chance to stop this disease in its tracks—and give her a healthier future with her loving family.