Jacob’s MS treatment
Donation protected
In January 2018, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Specifically, relapsing remitting MS. I am trying to raise the funds to go to Mexico and receive a treatment called HSCT. MS has caused my legs and wrists to go numb. It’s a similar feeling to when your foot falls asleep. But, imagine it never stops. This has caused me balance and mobility issues resulting in me using a cane. While I currently use a cane, I am expected to be in a wheelchair at the current rate of progression. It has caused me to be fatigued in a way I have never experienced and making me feel like I’m spinning. I often see double or quadruple. The unfortunate thing about MS is that there is no cure. Only a series of medicine that make me feel worse and will never cure me.
What is multiple sclerosis?
MS is an autoimmune disease in which a person's immune system begins to think their own body is a foreign substance and starts to destroy it. Specifically, the disease attacks myelin, the insulation that covers a person's neurons and is key for transmitting nerve impulses.
What is HSCT?
HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) attempts to reboot the immune system, which is responsible for damaging the brain and spinal cord in MS. In HSCT for MS, hematopoietic (blood cell-producing) stem cells, which are derived from a person’s own (scientifically referred to as “autologous”) bone marrow or blood, are collected and stored, prior to depleting much of the immune system using chemotherapy drugs. Then the stored hematopoietic stem cells are reintroduced to the body. The new stem cells migrate to the bone marrow and over time reconstitute the immune system.
The treatment takes place in Puebla, Mexico and consists of 28 days of treatment. After I come home, I will spend 6-9 months recovering while my immune system rebuilds itself.
Why Mexico?
The cost. While there are a few options offered in the states, it is extremely expensive and insurance does not cover it. The facility I’ll be having the treatment done at is called Clinica Ruíz. They have an excellent and proven track record and I feel confident that I will receive the best care possible from Dr. Ruíz and his team.
About Dr. Ruíz: https://www.acponline.org/membership/medical-students/acp-impact/archive/june-2018/dr-ruiz-on-giving-back-to-his-home-country-of-mexico-and-developing-an-innovative-bone-marrow
Clinica Ruíz: https://www.hsctmexico.com/index.php?lng=eng
The reason for this treatment is to halt the further progression of the disease and prevent having to be in a wheelchair. It won’t undo the damage already done, but will stop the progression in a way that any medicine cannot. Currently, the medication I take is suppose to slow the progression, but does it significantly less effective with a multitude of side effects that make life awful. The medicine has terrible side effects that include being constantly sick to my stomach, blurry vision, hair loss, weight loss (15lbs in the almost 2 years I’ve been taking it), low white blood cell count and liver damage. In addition to the side effects, the monthly cost of the medicine is exponentially high and ultimately, not sustainable. The reason I want to do the HSCT treatment is to stop the progression of this disease and as well as the toll the medicine takes on my body. It seems like a high price point, but stopping the progression once and for all is a better option and much cheaper than a lifetime of expensive drugs. I’m at the point in the disease where this treatment would be extremely beneficial, giving me some semblance of my life back. Receiving HSCT earlier with Relapsing Remitting MS is a best case scenario.
Why the funding?
This treatment costs $54,500 in Mexico. I am not trying to raise the full amount as I will be paying for half of it. But, I still need $27,000 to cover the other portion for the treatment in addition to the travel costs for my mom and I to get there. The cost includes the 28 days (September 27th - October 24th) I will be in Puebla, the facility we’ll be staying at, prepared meals, flights/transportation, any medicine/care needed during the treatment and the treatment itself. After all my research and discussions with doctors, it’s become clear that this treatment will dramatically improve the quality of my life. I have spoken with many people with MS who have had this procedure and every person was extremely happy they did it, are very pleased with the results and wish they had done it sooner. I have also spoken with various doctors who agree that this treatment is s good
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I intend no pressure to donate. This is a really hard thing to share and ask money for. Any shares and/or donations are extremely appreciated. I want to thank my friends and family who have supported and helped me since I was diagnosed.
More info about MS and HSCT treatment:
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Research/FAQ-About-HSCT.pdf
What is multiple sclerosis?
MS is an autoimmune disease in which a person's immune system begins to think their own body is a foreign substance and starts to destroy it. Specifically, the disease attacks myelin, the insulation that covers a person's neurons and is key for transmitting nerve impulses.
What is HSCT?
HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) attempts to reboot the immune system, which is responsible for damaging the brain and spinal cord in MS. In HSCT for MS, hematopoietic (blood cell-producing) stem cells, which are derived from a person’s own (scientifically referred to as “autologous”) bone marrow or blood, are collected and stored, prior to depleting much of the immune system using chemotherapy drugs. Then the stored hematopoietic stem cells are reintroduced to the body. The new stem cells migrate to the bone marrow and over time reconstitute the immune system.
The treatment takes place in Puebla, Mexico and consists of 28 days of treatment. After I come home, I will spend 6-9 months recovering while my immune system rebuilds itself.
Why Mexico?
The cost. While there are a few options offered in the states, it is extremely expensive and insurance does not cover it. The facility I’ll be having the treatment done at is called Clinica Ruíz. They have an excellent and proven track record and I feel confident that I will receive the best care possible from Dr. Ruíz and his team.
About Dr. Ruíz: https://www.acponline.org/membership/medical-students/acp-impact/archive/june-2018/dr-ruiz-on-giving-back-to-his-home-country-of-mexico-and-developing-an-innovative-bone-marrow
Clinica Ruíz: https://www.hsctmexico.com/index.php?lng=eng
The reason for this treatment is to halt the further progression of the disease and prevent having to be in a wheelchair. It won’t undo the damage already done, but will stop the progression in a way that any medicine cannot. Currently, the medication I take is suppose to slow the progression, but does it significantly less effective with a multitude of side effects that make life awful. The medicine has terrible side effects that include being constantly sick to my stomach, blurry vision, hair loss, weight loss (15lbs in the almost 2 years I’ve been taking it), low white blood cell count and liver damage. In addition to the side effects, the monthly cost of the medicine is exponentially high and ultimately, not sustainable. The reason I want to do the HSCT treatment is to stop the progression of this disease and as well as the toll the medicine takes on my body. It seems like a high price point, but stopping the progression once and for all is a better option and much cheaper than a lifetime of expensive drugs. I’m at the point in the disease where this treatment would be extremely beneficial, giving me some semblance of my life back. Receiving HSCT earlier with Relapsing Remitting MS is a best case scenario.
Why the funding?
This treatment costs $54,500 in Mexico. I am not trying to raise the full amount as I will be paying for half of it. But, I still need $27,000 to cover the other portion for the treatment in addition to the travel costs for my mom and I to get there. The cost includes the 28 days (September 27th - October 24th) I will be in Puebla, the facility we’ll be staying at, prepared meals, flights/transportation, any medicine/care needed during the treatment and the treatment itself. After all my research and discussions with doctors, it’s become clear that this treatment will dramatically improve the quality of my life. I have spoken with many people with MS who have had this procedure and every person was extremely happy they did it, are very pleased with the results and wish they had done it sooner. I have also spoken with various doctors who agree that this treatment is s good
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I intend no pressure to donate. This is a really hard thing to share and ask money for. Any shares and/or donations are extremely appreciated. I want to thank my friends and family who have supported and helped me since I was diagnosed.
More info about MS and HSCT treatment:
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Research/FAQ-About-HSCT.pdf
Organizer
Jacob Kinch
Organizer
Boise, ID