Jennifer's Race to Russia

Hello, my name is Jennifer Hands. I am a 41-year-old single mother of two teenagers from Milltown in Co. Cavan, who was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I discovered I have a relapsing-remitting form of the neurological condition after waking up one day, having lost the feeling in my legs and feet.

 

Having trained as a hairdresser in Southwest College in Enniskillen, I set up my own thriving business known as Kreative Kutz in Ballyconnell, before more recently moving to Milltown. I worked so hard to build this business from the ground myself but, in June 2021 I had to close it down. I worked right up until the day I was admitted to hospital, when I became paralysed on the entire left side of my body and had terrible headaches which affected my eyesight. This resulted in a very sudden stop to me working, and the real struggle to support my family.

 

 

I was always a very active person, who enjoyed taking my daughters to Irish Dancing or Football games. MS has completely stopped me from enjoying the things I once took for granted. I have ongoing pains in my joints and bad fatigue. The physical and psychological effects of this have been hugely debilitating. The time around the diagnosis has been difficult and emotional. The opportunity to get treatment in Russia might allow me to get back to the things I loved the most and resume a new normal life!

 

I would never be one to ask for help, will always try to do things myself and push myself to do more than I should! This time, I can’t do it by myself, and I need to ask for help. I am looking for you to help me raise €70,000 to allow me to travel to a Disability Clinic in Russia to undergo Stem Cell Transplantation, known as Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

 

In MS the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective layer around nerves, called myelin. It is chronic, progressive neurological auto-immune disease which affects the central nervous system. My own immune system is attacking my brain and the covering (myelin) around the spinal cord and nerves, causing significant disability and in an indeterminate amount of time could progress to the point that I will need a wheelchair and totally lose my independence. HSCT is a procedure that aims to reset the faulty immune system to stop this happening. Haematopoietic stem cells are taken from your bone marrow or blood, then a chemotherapy drug is used to wipe out your immune system. The stem cells are then reintroduced into your blood, where they grow a new immune system that will hopefully no longer attack your myelin. This has been introduced by Dr.Fedorenko in a clinic in Moscow where hundreds have been treated with a 95% success rate.

 

This Stem Cell Transplantation requires me to travel to the HSCT Centre in Moscow, Russia for 4 to 5 weeks. I’ve been through the screening process which identifies individuals who are suitable and capable of undergoing this treatment. I have already received formal confirmation that I am suitable for this treatment and due to my condition, they encourage me to travel as soon as possible.

This treatment will allow me to, at the very least slow the deterioration and allow me to get back to the things I love the most, hairdressing and being able to participate in my two beautiful teenagers lives so that they don’t need to depend on other family and friends!

 

It has been difficult on my girls, seeing their mother unable to do the things she used to do. I can no longer drive so this has been a huge loss to them. We have received wonderful support from friends, family, and neighbours. The girl’s friends and parents have also been amazing. I am lucky to have a very supportive family circle around me, especially my father Paddy Hands and 3 sisters: Sylvia, Sharon, and Caroline. I just want the best for my two beautiful daughters. We would all appreciate the help.

 

With this chance to go to Russia, I might have a chance to get back to the things I loved the most and return to a new normal life!

 

I want to end this difficult journey. Please help!

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Paul McCann is a family friend of the Hands family who also lives in Milltown, Belturbet, Co Cavan. 
All funds raised by this GoFundMe campaign will be used by Jennifer to travel to  he HSCT Centre in Moscow, Russia for 4 to 5 weeks undergo Stem Cell Transplantation, known as Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and post treatment required to get Jennifer back to living a normal life.
All funds raised will be withdrawn to a Bank Account owned by Jennifer Hands and any surplus funds will be donated to MS Ireland.