Trevor's Stem Cell Transplant

Hi Everyone - Jake here. I've been a best friend to Trevor for over a decade. I've organized this fundraiser in hopes of helping Trevor & Kim cover some of the costs of his Stem Cell Transplant for his MS diagnosis.

In order for Trevor to receive this treatment, Trevor & Kim are facing costs upwards of $80,000. Outside of our daily walks, this was one way I felt I could help, and I hope you will join me in supporting them.

If GoFundMe isn't for you, you can get ahold of me or Trevor directly for Etrans or your preferred method of donation.

Here's a note from Trevor as he shares his story.

Hello all, Trevor here or Tre, Romes, Romo or the guy who always wore that green Pilsner bunny hug... how ever our paths crossed I recognize hearing about this here is a lot to digest.

Early last year I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I've been chasing this diagnosis for 8 years. It's been a long, frustrating journey to reaching the diagnosis, but finally having an answer is a relief. It's given me direction and purpose again.

They still do not know the cause of MS. Because of this there is no cure and the medications at best, only slow down the progression. MS is not a terminal diagnosis rather a life sentence of worsening disability.

There is however a treatment that has been proven to be nearly 85% successful in achieving long term remission. HSCT or hemopoietic stem cell transplant is chemotherapy based treatment that takes about 28 days to complete. You're given a medication that mobilizes your own stem cells into your blood stream where they are harvested and stored. Several rounds of chemo are given to remove your immune system. Once that is achieved they give back your stem cells and your body regrows a completely new immune system, one which has no memory of having MS. This is not experimental, it's been around for decades.

This treatment is available all over the world and even right here in Canada. It became clear to me very quickly that I wasn't going to qualify in Canada and began exploring the opportunity out of county.

I received news a short while ago that I have been accepted into a treatment facility in Mexico for April 1st. This is good news as they are one of the preeminent treatment facilities on the planet having treated thousands of patients for MS and other autoimmune diseases over the past 20 years. The "Mexico Method" of HSCT, is becoming the model for treatment around the world for both its effectiveness and its safety profile. Remission rates of nearly 85% increase if you are young, otherwise healthy and fit, have a newer diagnosis, and have a low or no disability score. I fall into all of those categories. With the data supporting a promising outcome, it has made the decision very clear. Kim and I have interviewed countless patients, patient advocacy groups, health care professionals - some who went themselves to Mexico and we are confident we are making the right decision.

Three prominent themes arose from interviews - the care and facility was better then anything they received at home, if you can go, go tomorrow, and they all wish they had gone sooner.

It's a humbling experience having to share my story, but I know we will face this challenge with the love and support of our family and friends behind us, and for this, we are ever grateful.