“Help Raquel Heal: Trusting God, Fighting MS, and Reaching HSCT Treatment”

Hi everyone, I’m Raquel.

In 2012, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and since then, my life has changed in ways I never could have imagined. MS has brought severe fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of mobility in my right foot (drop foot), cognitive challenges, and many other symptoms that have made everyday life incredibly difficult. Despite fighting this disease for years, my condition continues to progress, and current treatments are no longer stopping the damage.

When I was diagnosed, my daughter was 6 and my son was 4. Instead of being the active, present mom I wanted to be, I spent years in and out of the hospital. Both of my children are very athletic and involved in sports, and I’ve missed so many games, tournaments, and milestones because MS simply wouldn’t let me be there. Those are moments I can never get back — and it’s one of the biggest reasons I’m fighting so hard for a chance at a better future.

Another part of my life that MS has affected is my ministry. I lead Praise and Worship at my church, something that has always brought me joy, purpose, and connection. Over the years, MS has interfered with my singing ability, making it harder to do what I love and what I feel called to do. Losing pieces of my voice has been one of the most painful parts of this journey, and I pray for the strength to continue serving in the way that fills my heart.

Recently, I received a hopeful opportunity. I’ve been accepted for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) at Clínica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico. HSCT is an intensive treatment that works by “rebooting” the immune system using my own stem cells, with the goal of halting the progression of MS. While it is not a cure, it represents my best chance to stop this disease in its tracks and regain some quality of life — to be present, to participate, to sing again with confidence, and to reclaim the parts of myself that MS has taken.

The reason I must travel to Puebla, Mexico, is because the same treatment offered in the United States costs well over $100,000 — far beyond what my family could ever afford. Clínica Ruiz provides the same medical protocol at a significantly lower cost, making it my only realistic path to receiving this treatment.

The treatment itself costs $61,290, and airfare for both myself and my caretaker is approximately $900 each. These expenses, along with the required recovery period is more than I can afford alone.

Aside from being a mom and leading worship, baking is one of my greatest passions. It’s always been my dream to run a little bakery of my own—a place filled with happiness and warmth. MS has pushed that dream further away, but HSCT gives me new hope that someday I’ll have the strength and stability to make it happen.

I am reaching out to my community for help in making this treatment possible. Any donation, no matter how small, brings me one step closer to stopping MS from progressing and giving me the chance to show up for my children, return fully to my worship ministry, and maybe even pursue the little bakery dream that’s lived in my heart for years.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing my story would mean the world to me. Thank you for your kindness, your support, and for being part of my journey toward healing and hope.