Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to share an update on my health and humbly ask for your support during a pivotal time in my journey.

As many of you know, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2020. While I’ve fought hard over the years, the past year has brought significant challenges. Though I may appear fine on the outside, everyday tasks like showering, dressing, and simply walking have become increasingly difficult. Joey helps me get dressed almost daily, showering is so taxing that I have to plan my weeks around what few days I can actually handle it, doing my hair and makeup on most days feels impossible, I've had to give up on how I prefer to keep up my house, and I can no longer go the gym at all, (I’m sure most of you that know me well know the true pain and heartbreak for me is no longer being able to do my life's true love, dance). I only have physical therapy to keep my body moving. I've lost most of what used to bring me joy in life just within the past year. This isn’t for a pity party, I just am simply sharing my new reality with you all.

My case has intrigued doctors because, despite having no new lesions for over a year, my disease continues to progress aggressively. The culprit is the chronic activity in old lesions located on critical areas of my spine affecting motor skills. Unfortunately, the current treatment I’m on, of the highest efficacy research has developed, is unable to address this.

That’s why I’ve been selected to undergo a Stem Cell Transplant at Northwestern University in Chicago. The doctors have confirmed that this is the last viable option to stop my progression and prevent a near future completely confined to a wheelchair. The choice is between the inevitable demise of a functional body or a lifetime of medical debt. We are choosing the latter.

What the Procedure Involves

The treatment will be intense. First, I’ll spend two weeks in Chicago undergoing pre-tests, medication regimens, and a preliminary round of chemotherapy before retrieving my healthy stem cells to freeze. If all goes well, I’ll return home briefly to rest before heading back for the main procedure.

This second phase begins with six days of chemotherapy to destroy my immune system completely. I’ll lose my hair, strength, and appetite during this time, along with becoming infertile for the rest of my life. Afterward, I’ll receive my stem cells, which will help build a new immune system that (hopefully) this time won’t attack itself. I’ll remain hospitalized in Chicago for 3–4 weeks to recover and develop this “baby immune system.” Then 2 more weeks of staying nearby the hospital in Chicago to make sure everything is working correctly.

When I return home, I’ll face strict isolation for about a year while my immune system matures. I’ll need to avoid large gatherings and wear a mask around others. After that, I’ll undergo full re-vaccination and, with hope, enter a phase of MS remission.

The Goal

While this procedure won’t undo the damage MS has already caused and I may not gain any ability back, the goal is to stop further progression, allowing me to regain some stability and independence for years to come.

How You Can Help

This opportunity is a blessing, but it comes with immense financial and logistical challenges. Stem Cell Transplants are still considered experimental for treating MS. Supporting this effort not only helps me, but also contributes to advancing this treatment toward becoming an officially accepted clinical procedure, offering hope to others suffering from this disease. My specific aggressive form of MS has drawn the attention of leading researchers at Northwestern, prompting them to rethink how this treatment could benefit a broader range of patients, and I'm determined to be a success story.

The hospital bill alone will be over 100k, insurance will not cover any portion of the treatment, and that does not include any associated costs— pre and post medical bills, travel, and living expenses during the time in Chicago—are overwhelming. My husband, Joey, will need to travel between Pittsburgh and Chicago frequently, alongside other family members supporting me.

I humbly ask for your help during this life-changing event. Any contribution, no matter how small, will ease the financial burden and allow us to focus on what matters most—my health and recovery.

Thank You

I deeply appreciate your love, prayers, and support. This fight is far from easy, but knowing I have such an incredible support system gives me the strength to keep going.

With my whole heart,

Sara