Three years ago, I got sick. And instead of getting better, I got worse. My first clear MS attack came in March 2021, but it would take nearly two years and additional attacks before I was finally diagnosed. Each attack left me with more disability.

The first drug I tried failed. There are others I can try, but none of them can actually stop the disease. At best, they might slow it down.

There’s only one treatment that puts MS into long-term remission in most patients. I’m asking for your help to get it.

What is MS?

MS stands for Multiple Sclerosis (sclerosis = scars). It's a nasty, degenerative illness in which parts of the immune system go rogue and repeatedly attack the brain and spinal cord. The disease looks different for everybody.

My symptoms include double vision (my eyes don’t move correctly anymore), extreme fatigue, vertigo, numbness, tingling, pain, muscle twitches, blurry vision, and periods of cognitive impairment so severe it’s difficult for me to follow a conversation (much less participate in one).

I can no longer do many of the things I love. I can’t work full time, or be there for friends and family like I used to. I've fought hard, undergone many tests, read enormous amounts of research (when my brain decides to function), gotten second (and third, and fourth) opinions, and tried different strategies of lifestyle and medicine. But I'm still getting worse. MS is a progressive disease, which means without intervention, that's going to continue.

What is aHSCT?

aHSCT is a tremendously effective treatment involving chemotherapy and the patient's own stem cells. It puts MS into remission for 75-85% of people with my type of MS.

It also heals some existing disability for 40% of patients. It is the only treatment to demonstrate any significant long-term disability improvement in clinical trials.

The single thing I hear most from those who’ve done aHSCT? “My only regret is not doing it sooner.”

So how does it work? Basically, it reboots the immune system.

The process takes about a month in-clinic, which includes some rehabilitation time. There is a 3-6 month period of at-home recovery as the immune system continues to rebuild, and complete recovery can take a year, sometimes two. It's rough and intense. And, if it works, it's infinitely better than MS continuing to progress.

When

This summer, I hope. Time is of the essence. Any day, I could have another relapse that leaves me with more disability. aHSCT is most effective early in the disease course; the longer I wait, the lower the odds the procedure will be successful…and the more disability is likely to be irreversible.

Where

Despite excellent performance in several clinical trials, aHSCT for MS is currently very difficult to get in the US. I applied at multiple centers but was rejected because I didn’t meet their specific criteria. Basically, to get it here, I would need to wait to become more disabled—disability that would likely be permanent. Even then, insurance often won't cover it.

So I am planning to leave the country to get treatment. The center I’ve decided on is Clinica Ruiz, headed by Dr. Ruiz-Argüelles.

Dr. Ruiz trained at Mayo Clinic, and in 2011 received their prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award. His clinic specializes in aHSCT for autoimmune diseases (including MS). They’re one of the most experienced facilities in the world with this procedure, and they are also among the safest.

You can help! With money AND messages. And it means the world to me.

I appreciate every donation, every share, every word and thought of support. No amount is too small...the little pieces add up. This has been a very isolating illness in the way it makes it harder for me to engage with people, and in that I know very few people who have been through similar things (and I’m glad they haven’t!). Still, it’s lonely, and seeing your comments and donations reminds me that I am very loved and not alone. Please know your messages are read and cherished!

How Funds Will be Used

The cost of the procedure is $57,500, plus $650 for MRIs immediately beforehand to ensure there’s no sign of any problems that could cause complications. This fee covers all treatment costs while I remain at Clinica Ruiz, which will be about one month.

Beyond the price of the procedure, there have been and will be many ongoing costs: prescriptions, travel expenses, living expenses while unable to work, and expenses involved in the long recovery process.

For more than two years, this disease has been robbing me of my life and my mind, a piece at a time. Your help could give me a fighting chance. Thank you.