#TreatThomas
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I have spent the holidays with the Castello’s for the past four years. Filled with love, this family never ceases to surprise me with the amount of strength and patience they have not only for one another, but especially for one specific family member. Meet Thomas Castello.
(L2R: Nicole, Amanda, Steven, THOMAS & Taylor)
From a young age, Thomas was always the older brother, center-of-attention, ladies man, and an active athlete; but somewhere along the way a sickness, a disease would steal his body. At age 16, Thomas was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis – a disease genetically inherited by his 57 year-old father, whom has no use of his arms, legs or speech. MS is an unpredictable, depilating disease that rots the nervous system and disrupts the flow of information within the brain to the body.
For the past 14 years, MS has slowly robbed Thomas of his life, with worsening symptoms creeping as years pass. By the time Thomas reached his senior year in High School, Thomas’ MS had progressed so rapidly that he battled to cross the stage to receive his diploma. Thomas struggles with his severe loss of speech, vision and use of his legs - although that never slows him down! Thomas, along with his family, has refused to give up!
Over the past 7 years Thomas has tried several treatments, including Rebif, a medication to treat relapsing MS to delay and slow the accumulation of physical disability; and Tysabri treatment, which aims to improve the quality of life of MS victims by facilitating the movement of damaged immune cells and slow down the degenerative process of the brain and spinal cord.
After several years of Tysabri treatment, Thomas was recently taken off due to his high risk of PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopthy), causing a brain disorder that ultimately leads to a quick death. Thomas was immediately taken off Tysabri after routine bloodwork revealed his high risk.
After months of desperate research and running out of treatment options, his mother, Linda, fell upon a treatment that could possibly reverse the effects of MS, or at the very least slow it down significantly - HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant). HSCT is the transplant of stem cells derived from blood or bone marrow. There are several hospitals around the world that provide this treatment, one being Clinical Ruiz – a hospital located in Mexico, specializing in MS treatments.
Compelled to try any treatment available for her son, Linda submitted an application through Clinical Ruiz this past August, where Thomas was wait-listed for the upcoming year. Knowing Thomas had very little time before his life was completely captured by MS, Linda acted quickly to ensure he was moved to high priority.
On September 14th, 2016 the Castello family received a phone call from Clinical Ruiz stating that Thomas has been accepted for an HSCT treatment. The treatment is scheduled for December 5th, 2016 in Puebla, Mexico.
You should have seen the smile that spread across Thomas’ face the day he found out. Finally a light…an opportunity...a life. Thomas is ever-grateful for the opportunity of this HSCT treatment and prays for a better quality of life.
(L2R: THOMAS, Thomas' mother, Linda, and younger brother, Steven)
It is hard to ask strangers, whom you have never met, to help carry a portion of the financial burden a family facing, but it is even harder to watch the person you care about deteriorate. I am writing from a humble place asking for the power of the internet to help a family keep their son, their brother, their best friend. It would mean a great deal to the Castello family, one who has never asked this world for anything, if you could help. ANY gift is appreciated and 100% of proceeds will go towards Thomas’ HSCT treatment and recovery.
THOMAS on the right.
Family photo.
(L2R: Nicole, Amanda, Steven, THOMAS & Taylor)From a young age, Thomas was always the older brother, center-of-attention, ladies man, and an active athlete; but somewhere along the way a sickness, a disease would steal his body. At age 16, Thomas was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis – a disease genetically inherited by his 57 year-old father, whom has no use of his arms, legs or speech. MS is an unpredictable, depilating disease that rots the nervous system and disrupts the flow of information within the brain to the body.
For the past 14 years, MS has slowly robbed Thomas of his life, with worsening symptoms creeping as years pass. By the time Thomas reached his senior year in High School, Thomas’ MS had progressed so rapidly that he battled to cross the stage to receive his diploma. Thomas struggles with his severe loss of speech, vision and use of his legs - although that never slows him down! Thomas, along with his family, has refused to give up!
Over the past 7 years Thomas has tried several treatments, including Rebif, a medication to treat relapsing MS to delay and slow the accumulation of physical disability; and Tysabri treatment, which aims to improve the quality of life of MS victims by facilitating the movement of damaged immune cells and slow down the degenerative process of the brain and spinal cord.
After several years of Tysabri treatment, Thomas was recently taken off due to his high risk of PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopthy), causing a brain disorder that ultimately leads to a quick death. Thomas was immediately taken off Tysabri after routine bloodwork revealed his high risk.
After months of desperate research and running out of treatment options, his mother, Linda, fell upon a treatment that could possibly reverse the effects of MS, or at the very least slow it down significantly - HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant). HSCT is the transplant of stem cells derived from blood or bone marrow. There are several hospitals around the world that provide this treatment, one being Clinical Ruiz – a hospital located in Mexico, specializing in MS treatments.
Compelled to try any treatment available for her son, Linda submitted an application through Clinical Ruiz this past August, where Thomas was wait-listed for the upcoming year. Knowing Thomas had very little time before his life was completely captured by MS, Linda acted quickly to ensure he was moved to high priority.
On September 14th, 2016 the Castello family received a phone call from Clinical Ruiz stating that Thomas has been accepted for an HSCT treatment. The treatment is scheduled for December 5th, 2016 in Puebla, Mexico.
You should have seen the smile that spread across Thomas’ face the day he found out. Finally a light…an opportunity...a life. Thomas is ever-grateful for the opportunity of this HSCT treatment and prays for a better quality of life.
(L2R: THOMAS, Thomas' mother, Linda, and younger brother, Steven)
It is hard to ask strangers, whom you have never met, to help carry a portion of the financial burden a family facing, but it is even harder to watch the person you care about deteriorate. I am writing from a humble place asking for the power of the internet to help a family keep their son, their brother, their best friend. It would mean a great deal to the Castello family, one who has never asked this world for anything, if you could help. ANY gift is appreciated and 100% of proceeds will go towards Thomas’ HSCT treatment and recovery.
THOMAS on the right. Family photo.Organizer and beneficiary
Jacqueline De La Espriella
Organizer
Tallahassee, FL
Thomas Castello
Beneficiary