This GoFundMe has been created to support my dear friend AmyJo, I have asked her to share her story personally:

Hi, my name is AmyJo. I have been battling Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for the past 20 years. Unfortunately, the MS has become more aggressive, advancing to refractory secondary progressive MS and is no longer responding to the traditional and newer advanced treatments. Once a thriving social worker and competitive tennis player, this chronic insidious disease has stolen my health, so much of my “self,” my passions, and quality of life.

In August 2025, I had an Autologous Hematopoietic Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant via a trial called BEAT -MS, in attempts to halt the progression of the disease and possibly repair some of the damage done. It was an intense undertaking, but my desperation to get better compelled me to take this leap of faith. Unfortunately, for me, the transplant itself and the recovery have been extremely difficult and ongoing. I have endured major complications leading to many more doctor visits, emergency room trips, multiple hospitalizations, secondary medications, injections, and infusions. The trial covers the core transplant, but a majority of these “unexpected medical extras” are not covered by the trial or my Medicare insurance.

While I try to be positive and patient, I suffer from debilitating setbacks, mental and physical pain, infections to conquer, and isolation that keep me in bed most days. As exhausted and weak as I am, I have a deep sense of responsibility for my health and life. It is this sense of empowerment that has driven me to humble myself and take this next step on my own, setting up a Go Fund Me. I need to do everything I can to save my life.

The financial burden created by these unexpected medical bills is creating so much unnecessary stress that it is impeding my recovery and my spirit. I still envision a healthier version of myself. I do believe that my stem cell transplant will be victorious, I will thrive and I will have the opportunity to pay it forward. Your donations will go towards:

• Unexpected hospitalizations and emergency room trips

• Current medical bills

• Daily transportation for medical needs

• Medications, injections, infusions

• Home care services

• Ongoing and future medical uncertainties

Thank you in advance for your support, care, and generosity. Please share, and for more detailed information about me, my MS, the AHSCT and trial, please see my story below.

With much love, appreciation, and gratitude,

AmyJo

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More About AmyJo’s MS Fight: Unstoppable MS Warrior

MS is a chronic, unpredictable autoimmune disease of the central nervous system where your immunity mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath - the protective insulation surrounding our nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This damage causes debilitating physical, mental, and cognitive symptoms and can vary from person to person. The current treatments available have been approved by the FDA allowing for insurance coverage. The AHSCT shows high promises of halting disease progression, and it has advanced to Phase 3 of FDA criteria. Until more data is gathered showing its benefits and fulfilling all safety protocols keeps it to a trial environment and therefore not yet covered by insurance companies. AHSCT has a high success rate for halting the progression of the disease. For MS patients and myself, continuing to show the effectiveness of the AHSCT will help push it to a front-line treatment option that insurance companies will hopefully cover.

AHSCT is the only treatment that can potentially repair some of the damage done, which was my catalyst to seek it out. I was trapped in the demons of this insidious disease, and so the thought of repair, no matter the risk or cost, became my motivation to survive. I could no longer sustain my career as a social worker, work at all, function independently, pursue my passion as a competitive tennis player, and engage in a life that I was creating and once had. The daily extreme MS fatigue, body pain, severe leg spasticity, weakening bladder and respiratory muscles, balance and cognitive difficulties left me in bed most hours of the day. The simplest of basic tasks became arduous and overwhelming. Each day, I often woke up mourning for the person I used to be and grieving the loss of my own “self” and health, a type of grief I never thought existed. My health is so unpredictable that it becomes difficult to sustain relationships, make any sort of commitments, be spontaneous and fun. I could not fix the disease; I could not get the MS off me. Being a daily witness to my reality eventually became intolerable, and I was exhausted and devastated. My athletic legs could still hold me up, but the wall and things around me were my primary support. My symptoms were invisible to others; I was isolated and alone in both physical and emotional pain, yet oddly my comfort and sense of security came from being alone in my bed. I came to not like myself and the person I thought I had become, no matter the extent of reassurance I received.

Then there was this warrior. Thank God Amy Jo had an unbreakable inner spirit and tenacity prevailed, and with the support and encouragement of my mom and friends, I made the decision to undergo an intense Autologous Hematopoietic Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT).

My neurologist intervened, and I was extremely fortunate as she and the co-leading team happened to be one of the 22 hospitals in the US conducting the BEAT- MS trial. It allowed 156 participants. After undergoing a comprehensive series of tests, I did qualify. Both sad and happy because I was sick enough that I needed the transplant, but strong enough to undergo it. There was no question that my MS was moving quickly in the wrong direction, so I jumped into the unknown, and this unstoppable warrior saw a second chance at life; I knew I needed it, and I so badly wanted to get better. I did not want any regrets that I did not do everything in my power to fight this horrific disease. I also knew, no matter the outcome, that a trial could produce tremendous benefits and opportunities for others. So, in July of 2025, I started the very scary process of shutting down my immune system, and on August 28th, it was woken up by the healthy new stem cells that had been reinfused back into me. It was "the reboot." It was hope.

The full process of this Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell involves many departments; Neurology, Hematology/Oncology, Psychology, and bone marrow specialists. The brief version of my regimen: Mobilization- 1 outpatient high dose of chemo. and 1-2 weeks of daily home injections to stimulate as many stem cells (hoping healthy) as possible. Harvesting- collection of stem cells from bone marrow through a procedure known as Apheresis and separating healthy cells from bad cells. Cryopreservation- freezing of healthy stem cells. Conditioning- 6 days of a high dose chemotherapy regimen to kill off the rest of my immune system. Transplantation- frozen stem cells are reinfused back into the body. Post- transplant recovery- intense aftercare which includes visits to doctors for close monitoring and safe recovery. I had 14 chemo infusions over 6 days and due to severe side effects, I spent 30 days in the hospital.

So, that is the easy part. The first 100 days are the hardest as you are at substantial risk of infection and therefore homebound. If all goes as planned, your stem cells will thrive, the side effects of the chemo and procedure will have lessened, and your immune system will be stronger.

Unfortunately, for me, as stated above, it was brutal from the start, with the most severe complications and adverse reactions both during the transplant and the recovery. The doctors told me that my path has been rare and my immune system should have bounced back by now. My weakness has reached an all-time low, and I have been unable to care for myself. My recovery was all about the “unexpected.” Despite it all, with some help, I will be victorious. It’s the hope and faith of an unstoppable MS transplant warrior.