Help Melissa Howland Beat Multiple Sclerosis

Melissa Howland has been a staple of the geek community, working as a writer/film critic/host/actress and activist for multiple sclerosis and invisible illnesses. She has spent the last six and a half years bravely fighting a debilitating, harrowing form of Multiple Sclerosis. For those unfamiliar with MS, it's an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spine. Symptoms are unpredictable such as numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, blindness, walking issues, coordination problems and/or paralysis. Melissa has had to rely on a giant brace reaching from her upper thigh to under her entire foot or a walker for her everyday life. She continues to fall quite often and deal with cognitive issues, levels of fatigue that leave her in bed for days at a time and, worst of all, crippling pain that can only be managed so much. Without intervention, this could lead to life in a wheelchair, or worse. The past three years have been very difficult. The disease is progressing too fast, and Melissa has had to leave work and devote herself full-time to doctors. Her health is deteriorating rapidly and the endless medications have taken their toll. Time is not on her side.

 

But Goonies never say die.

 

Melissa's best hope to stop the progression and possibly regain some of her functioning is through a stem cell/chemotherapy transplant ("HSCT"). This breakthrough treatment has been making headlines in the past few years. It has an 80-95% success rate, and many patients have reported experiencing complete remission, regaining their mobility and never having to take medications again. The goal of this fundraiser is to enroll Melissa into the six-week program, which will reboot her immune system, kill the attacking cells and build her body back up. If successful, this could change everything and give her a new lease on life.

 

Melissa has already been pre-approved for the treatment. But since the FDA still considers it "experimental," clinical trials are impossible to get into (and if you are lucky enough to, there is a 50% chance of being given a placebo). Insurance companies won't pay for it, so we are asking for help to raise the funds.

 

Melissa has a very long and difficult road ahead, but with your help, she will have a fighting chance.

 

We understand that times are tough, so if you can't donate, please help spread the word by sharing this with others or on your socials. It would mean the world. Let's go team #HOWLANDATTHEMOON !!!

 

You can learn more about HSCT therapy here:

https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/treatments-and-therapies/disease-modifying-therapies/hsct