Sharon Always Helped Others. Help Her Defeat MS.
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Sharon Karolski-Schultz and in 2016 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord.
As Multiple Sclerosis sufferers progress through their condition, they usually lose the ability to walk and a lot of their motor functions, their cognitive function deteriorates as well. In the later stages of MS, I will be bed bound or in a wheelchair.
Ultimately, MS doesn’t kill, it is complications from illnesses on my weakened body brought about by MS that will kill me.
Over the last five years, I’ve attempted treatment with many of the major MS drugs and have experienced horrific, and in most cases life threatening side effects. These drugs fall into families, and if I could not tolerate a drug in a particular family, all those drugs were off the table. As a cervical cancer survivor, some of these drugs carried the added risk of new cancers forming, particularly breast cancer.
I was only able to tolerate one drug, and for three years the damage to my brain was halted, and even healed a bit. Unfortunately, I had to ultimately come off that drug due to increasing risk of a fatal brain virus (PML) from continued use by patients with the JC virus active in their systems. Many people have this virus, and I was one of them.
I am out of options. If I remain untreated, my MS will progress. Right now there is no cure for MS, but stem cell transplant has shown great promise though.
It’s my dream to be able to work again, to have a normal life. I want to contribute, to my family and to society, as opposed to burdening it. I used to work as a paramedic. I enjoyed working in the medical field because I wanted to help others, now I’m asking for your help.
It’s my dream to be able to work again, to have a normal life. I want to contribute, to my family and to society, as opposed to burdening it. I used to work as a paramedic. I enjoyed working in the medical field because I wanted to help others, now I’m asking for your help.
Stem cell transplants are being performed in Mexico right now and I’d like to pursue this option. It has a 95% success rate. Using my own stem cells and undergoing chemotherapy, the goal is to wipe out my immune system and start from scratch.
The idea is that as my immune system regenerates, it won’t become overactive and attack my brain and spine again. If successful, my progression will stop, and possibly heal.
This procedure is different from stem cell transplants conducted in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It has a higher success rate, and is less invasive. Only Mexico and Russia use this procedure. It is also one of the more affordable options.
Despite that, I lack the resources to make this happen on my own. Stem cell transplant is still considered an “experimental procedure.” Tricare or any insurance for that matter will not cover this. I’m very scared for my future if I don’t get help.
Please consider donating to help me realize this dream. Please also consider sharing my story with others. The video at the top of the page goes more in-depth into my personal situation.
Extra money raised beyond the quoted price from the clinic will cover additional costs associated with this procedure such as airfare, incidentals, and lost wages for my husband as he travels with me as my caretaker.
I am tentatively scheduled for the procedure in March of 2022. I plan on updating everyone as I go through the roughly 28 day treatment plan, as I’m sure people will be interested in my progress. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me.
I am tentatively scheduled for the procedure in March of 2022. I plan on updating everyone as I go through the roughly 28 day treatment plan, as I’m sure people will be interested in my progress. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me.
I’ve included some additional information for anyone who is interested. I have a link explaining what Multiple Sclerosis is. It’s a mysterious condition, and a lot of people don’t understand it. I have also included below a few pictures showing my letter of acceptance to Clinica Ruiz, and proof of having MS.
My Facebook page.
Come visit me.
What is MS?
This link is for the clinic in Mexico where I’d like to receive my treatment, The Clinica Ruiz.
Co-organizers (2)
Sharon Lynn Karolski-Schultz
Organizer
Allen Park, MI
Timothy Schultz
Co-organizer