A New Birthday for Nathan
Donation protected
In August 2015, my 27-year-old brother, Nathan Kucera, had another MS (Multiple Sclerosis) relapse. It was his third major relapse in just over one year, and his second one in just over three months. This latest relapse occurred while being on medication meant to slow the progression of the disease, which indicates that the current treatment is ineffective. The number of relapses and new lesions discovered on his brain and spinal cord are showing a more aggressive disease than originally thought.
Earlier this summer, in June, Nathan was accepted into the Stem Cell Transplant Treatment trials run by Richard Burt MD at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. This treatment is an advanced procedure that while still experimental, has shown in Phase II trials to cure the disease 80% of the time, and the other 20% have drastically reduced disease activity. Stem Cell Transplant is the most aggressive action that exists for stopping the progression of Multiple Sclerosis. Because Nathan's disease is progressing so quickly, he desperately needs this transplant. Without it, his health will continue to decline and his quality of life to decrease dramatically, progressing to an early death for my otherwise perfectly healthy brother.
However, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois will not pay for the treatment because the procedure is not yet FDA approved. So far, all attempts and appeals have been denied. Although BCBS has paid over $200,000 in the past year and a half in medical bills to cover Nathan's expenses, they are refusing this $125,000 treatment as they claim that it is "experimental" and "unproven."
With an extremely generous loan from a friend, Nathan began Stem Cell Transplant treatment in September. Our hope is that BCBS will cover this treatment so that Nathan will be able to pay back the loan, however if they do not, we intend to fundraise this money so that we can pay back the loan ourselves. If BCBS does come through, we intend to set up a scholarship fund in Nathan's name for other individuals who have been denied by their insurance providers, so that they might be able to afford this life saving treatment.
Please consider making a donation towards this very important cause and help us spread the message of the importance of this treatment for people with MS and similar autoimmune diseases. If you are unable to make a donation at this time, please click here to sign our petition for Nathan.
Thank you to everyone who has supported our family through these recent months, and thank you for your continued efforts in spreading this message.
If you have any questions, please contact Maggy at [email redacted]
Earlier this summer, in June, Nathan was accepted into the Stem Cell Transplant Treatment trials run by Richard Burt MD at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. This treatment is an advanced procedure that while still experimental, has shown in Phase II trials to cure the disease 80% of the time, and the other 20% have drastically reduced disease activity. Stem Cell Transplant is the most aggressive action that exists for stopping the progression of Multiple Sclerosis. Because Nathan's disease is progressing so quickly, he desperately needs this transplant. Without it, his health will continue to decline and his quality of life to decrease dramatically, progressing to an early death for my otherwise perfectly healthy brother.
However, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois will not pay for the treatment because the procedure is not yet FDA approved. So far, all attempts and appeals have been denied. Although BCBS has paid over $200,000 in the past year and a half in medical bills to cover Nathan's expenses, they are refusing this $125,000 treatment as they claim that it is "experimental" and "unproven."
With an extremely generous loan from a friend, Nathan began Stem Cell Transplant treatment in September. Our hope is that BCBS will cover this treatment so that Nathan will be able to pay back the loan, however if they do not, we intend to fundraise this money so that we can pay back the loan ourselves. If BCBS does come through, we intend to set up a scholarship fund in Nathan's name for other individuals who have been denied by their insurance providers, so that they might be able to afford this life saving treatment.
Please consider making a donation towards this very important cause and help us spread the message of the importance of this treatment for people with MS and similar autoimmune diseases. If you are unable to make a donation at this time, please click here to sign our petition for Nathan.
Thank you to everyone who has supported our family through these recent months, and thank you for your continued efforts in spreading this message.
If you have any questions, please contact Maggy at [email redacted]
Organizer and beneficiary
Maggy Kucera
Organizer
Oak Park, IL
Nathaniel Kucera
Beneficiary