MSCs for Marilee’s MS
Hi! I’m Marilee Chipoletti and in 2009 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I have the most aggressive form of MS – Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis for which there are no modifying drugs to help me manage my condition.

In the last several years I have lost my independence and many other tasks that others take for granted – driving, walking with my husband and dogs, playing guitar and performing – and so much more. Adding insult to injury, my job was taken away from me after 16 years as I was seen more as a liability than an asset by my employer.

I know there is no cure for MS at this time but am seeking a better quality of life for myself and others. A friend in Texas is participating in a program conducted by Celltex and has seen dramatic improvement in her quality of life. She encouraged me to apply to the program. I was accepted and will begin preliminary testing, harvesting, cultivating, banking cells and then transplantation of hundreds-of-millions autologous stem cells back into my body to help reboot my system. Autologous cells are from my body, so there are no moral issues.

I am not a quitter and plan to do as much as I can to gain back independence. Once very athletic, now I can barely walk.

MS is a cruel disease. It is an auto-immune disease damaging the myelin sheath that covers the nerves and enables transport of brain signals to your body. The sheath deteriorates as the immune system attacks itself, presenting a number of symptoms unique to each sufferer – gait, balance, dizziness, hand and feet numbness, incontinence, painful spasms, brain fog, heat intolerance, blindness, fatigue, depression, anxiety and inability to swallow. These are just some of the symptoms MSers face every day. There are four types of MS: Relapsing-Remitting (RRMS), Secondary-Progressive (SPMS), Progressive-Relapsing (PRMS) and Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS). They all suck the life out of you.

I was accepted to participate in the MSC (Mesenchymal Stem Cells) Program. These cells originate from one owns’ abdominal fat cells, are refined, cultivated and replicated. These replicated autologous stem cells are reintroduced back into one’s own body to help redevelop afflicted areas. The extraction is a one-time process and the replication process can be endlessly repeated.

Unfortunately, health insurance does not cover any of these procedures. MSCs can be extracted and reproduced in the US but replicated cells cannot be reintroduced back into your body in this country. The implant process must be conducted outside the US.

I created this GoFundMe page to help me raise the money so that I can get this treatment.

Cost is astronomical (over $40,000) and that does not include travel, food, lodging, etc. so whatever amount you can donate is greatly appreciated. No amount is too small. Though not a cure, a better quality of life will be a blessing. More and more this disease is controlling my life and I cannot sit back and wait for a cure. My husband and I love each other dearly, but I don’t want to depend on him for every little thing or have him continually worry about me like he does. He deserves a break!

I appreciate your generosity and support more than you know. Please share my story with others. Thank you so much!!

With love,
Marilee