HELP MANDIE BEAT HER MS WITH HSCT
Amanda is a mother, wife, daughter, friend and loved by so many .
Amanda’s symptoms started at age 19. She was having issues with her eyesight. After multiple tests and doctor visits, the doctor told her that she either had a tumor or the beginning signs of Multiple Sclerosis. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS)
Amanda's loved ones can attest to her strength, For the last 16 years, She has dealt with the ups and downs of the disease. Many might not have known that she had MS, since you will never find her on a bad day. She’s always smiling, laughing, and full of joy while spending time with family and friends.
Amandas MS has progressed and become debilitating. Her newest symptom is called “drop foot”, where your feet drag and you have to continuously think about your next step ahead. She can no longer walk long distances without the assistance of a cane or walker.
After researching and consulting with her current neurologist, it was determined that Amanda would be a great candidate for an Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT). Unfortunately, HSCT is not yet FDA-approved in the United States as a treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. It is still in clinical trials, in which Amanda is not eligible to participate, according to specific criteria set by the trial committees. It is available privately, however, starting at $150,000.
There is hope, her neurologist suggested a reputable medical facility in Mexico, led by doctors she knew professionally. The facility has accepted her request and application for treatment and costs approximately ⅓ of what it does in the US. Amanda can get the treatment for $55,000 at Clinica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico, plus the cost of a caregiver, flights and food for the month-long stay for her and her caregiver. Once the funding is in place, she is eligible to begin the procedure on September 26th 2022.
What is HSCT:
This treatment aims to eliminate the immune cells responsible for the underlying autoimmune disease. During the process she will undergo intensive chemotherapy treatment. They use stem cells collected from her bone marrow and use them to restore her body with her healthy cells. With MS, the faster we act, the better chance of halting the disease activity and progression, giving her a fair chance at a better quality of life . She will be required to stay in Mexico for 28 days while undergoing this treatment; the money raised will cover her medical expenses.
We are hopeful this will give her a long life, where she can grow old with her loving husband and watch their babies grow and love on them for as long as her life is given.
Any donation big or small is appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please help by spreading the word and sharing Amanda's story. On behalf of her family and friends, we thank you.
Additional notes; Private donations can also be sent via Venmo directly to @Amanda-Cromer-3 .
Many might not be aware but goFundme does takes a portion of each donation.
Through this miraculous journey, we will be uploading pictures and videos of her 28 day experience undergoing treatment, for those of you who would like to follow.
What is MS:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerves. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently or at all, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms. There is no cure for MS and it progressively worsens over time.