Hello, our names are Justin and Rachel Heater, and we are fundraising on behalf of our sister-in-law, Amanda (Mandy) Heater.

Mandy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) last October, and it has slowly taken away so much of her independence and quality of life. Daily fatigue, pain, and mobility challenges make even simple tasks difficult. We’ve watched her face these struggles with courage and grace, but MS continues to progress, and it’s heartbreaking to see the toll it takes.

Recently, Mandy was given hope: the opportunity to receive stem cell treatment that has shown promising results for people living with MS. This treatment could slow or even reverse some of the damage caused by the disease — giving her the chance to reclaim her independence and quality of life. However, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment is not yet approved in the U.S., which means Mandy must travel outside the country to a highly recommended clinic in Mexico to receive this care. The treatment itself will take six days, requiring additional lodging and travel expenses on top of the medical costs.

The difficult part is that this treatment is not covered by insurance, and the financial burden is more than Mandy and Clark can carry alone. For Mandy, this isn’t just about medical treatment, it’s about the chance to walk without constant pain, to have the energy to spend with her daughters, and to live her life without MS holding her back. She’s always been someone who puts family and friends first, and now we want to do everything we can to put her first.

Mandy’s Story

In October, Mandy began experiencing alarming symptoms — severe vision problems, bouts of vertigo, and weakness in her arms and legs. What started as a trip to urgent care quickly turned into a series of doctor visits, tests, and uncertainty. After several difficult weeks, a neurologist delivered the diagnosis that changed everything: Multiple Sclerosis.

Mandy and Clark are raising two beautiful daughters — an almost four-year-old and a sixteen-month-old. Mandy’s biggest fear is that her girls will grow up missing out on special moments with their mom because of her illness. Already, it is becoming harder for her to be able to participate in everyday things like bedtime routines or small family outings. It breaks her heart to miss these moments, and she feels the weight of knowing that, in her absence, much of the responsibility falls on Clark. While he does an incredible job, more often than not, he is carrying that load alone.

Recently, one of Mandy’s healthcare providers shared encouraging news about the advancements in stem cell therapy for MS. They’ve seen patients not only stop the decline of their health but, in many cases, regain function and make real improvements in their symptoms. For Mandy, this offers real hope.

Her symptoms have grown harder to manage — fatigue, vision issues, vertigo, drop foot, trouble walking, and brain fog. Together, these have made daily life increasingly difficult. They’ve also forced her to step away from her lifelong dream of being an educator, a goal she worked so hard to achieve after going back to school and securing a temporary teaching role in the Enumclaw School District.

Rachel and I have watched Mandy fight MS with incredible bravery, never complaining or feeling sorry for herself. But recently, she admitted the fear of what the future may hold, both for her and for her family.

Mandy’s deepest wish for this treatment is to be fully present in her daughters’ lives. Not just for the big milestones, but for the little everyday moments that matter just as much. She longs for the energy to cuddle up and read bedtime stories, the strength to chase after her girls at the park, and the joy of sharing unhurried moments with Clark as husband and wife. More than anything, she wants MS to stop stealing these experiences from her family.

We love Mandy deeply, and we believe she deserves the chance to live a fuller, healthier life. With your help, she can pursue this treatment and move toward a brighter future — one where she doesn’t have to miss the precious moments with her daughters and husband.

From our family to yours, thank you for reading Mandy’s story and for supporting her in this fight.

With love and gratitude,

Justin & Rachel Heater