Help Mark Jagla Beat MS

About Mark Jagla

Mark was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1983. Through the years he has had ups and downs related to his health. He has tried every MS drug available. Still, his MS progresses.  This past year he had a relapse, and as a result  he has great difficulty walking. He can walk a little bit, but most of his time is spent in his chair. Additionally, he has what's called "brain fog" and tends to drop a lot of things. Mark has Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Because of his health, Mark had to stop working and got Disability approved approximately 5 years ago.

What is relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis?

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, becomes damaged. MS causes the immune system to attack the myelin, which is the insulation protecting the nerves. The nerves themselves can also be damaged. When myelin or the nerves become damaged, nerves cannot properly pass along their signals. The damaging process forms scar tissue called sclerosis, which gives the disease its name of multiple sclerosis. 

What is the procedure he is going to have?

We recently learned about a procedure called Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT).  They do not currently offer this procedure in the United States. Several other countries do.  After researching this procedure, we determined that Mark is a good candidate. We have chosen Clinica Ruiz in Puebla Mexico for this procedure.  Mark was accepted as a patient on July 3, 2018.  We don't have a specific date set, but expect it to be at the end of this year or early next year.

The process involves extracting his stem cells, "cleaning" them, having Mark do Chemotherapy to kill off his immune system, put the stem cells in and hope for the best. They have an 80% success rate, which means that 80% of people who have gone through this procedure have positive results from some relief of symptoms, to total reversal of the MS. We are praying for a total reversal, and at minimum hope Mark can have a better quality of life.

We will be in Mexico for at least a month. During that time we will stay in specialized housing, work closely with medical staff and work to get Mark  healed. Our Dr. in Mexico advised that we hire a caregiver while there since I am not strong enough to lift him. 

 HSCT is not experimental-it has been performed more than 2 million times since 1967.  It is currently performed 50,000 times/yr all over the world as a cancer treatment.  HSCT is so far the most beneficially effective treatment to durably halt the underlying disease activity & progression of MS.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

So here's the kicker. We need to prepay for Mark's procedure, which we estimate will cost approximately $65,000. We urgently need to get money together since we have to pay in advance of the transplant to make sure he can get the procedure. This money will help us get there, get his procedure done, and allow him/us to stay in specialized housing near the hospital.  

Mark is an amazing man. He is smart, funny, loving and loyal. He has volunteered many hours to the Boy Scouts of America, Knights of Columbus, our church, and in other places.  While it is difficult to ask for help, we need it. If you are able to donate to our fund, we would be forever grateful. If you are able to help with a fundraising event that you or we plan together (with Linda, Mark's wife- that's me) that would be wonderful.

If you are willing and able to donate, we also accept checks. We have an account set up at CoVantage Credit Union in Antigo, WI where all checks will be deposited.

Thank you in advance for any donation you can make. 

Many blessings! Mark and Linda Jagla