Help a Mom Get Her Life Back
Donation protected
My friend Erin has Multiple Sclerosis. Erin was diagnosed 3 years ago, and since that time her life has been taken over by MS. She is no longer able to work, she has lost mobility, and precious memories are fading. It’s very likely that most of us know, or have known someone with MS, and have witnessed the devastating effects of this disease. Erin's been approved for a new type of stem cell thereapy that has been shown to reverse the effects of MS—a treatment that she is not able to afford. Erin needs our help.
First, I’d like to share a bit about Erin, who has been a friend of mine for many years. Prior to MS, Erin had a very successful career in tourism and business management that helped to employ many in our Central Ontario community. She is a loving single mother to two pre-teen boys. She was a runner and shared her love of physical wellbeing both personally and professionally. Erin is one of the most caring souls that I could imagine. She is vibrant, positive, always encouraging. She was an inspiring human being before MS; since being diagnosed she has become even more of an inspiration. MS has had crushing effects in every aspect of her life, but Erin’s positive spirit has only seemed to become stronger. Below are Erin’s words, written to her disease on world MS day:
Dear MS,
You are a taker. A taker of hopes and dreams. A taker of memories that I can no longer recall because of your lesions on my brain. A taker of independence and physical well being and the cause of pain.
I realized recently, that on June 5th, 2015, I quit planning for my future. That is heart breaking. You can take my sight, my mobility, even my breath. That makes the future a scary place to visit.
But, you are a giver too. A giver of silver linings and lessons learned no other way. A teacher of how to live in the now. A teacher that health is not a guarantee, even when we feel we’ve earned it. Even though I’ve always known it, you’ve proved a positive outlook will pull you through anything. I try to live everyday now like tomorrow may not happen. That in itself is a gift. Those of us who tread the road to battle you are called “warriors”. I get that now. We show up everyday for a battle we did not want to fight, and we are in for the fight of our lives. You showed me I am stronger than I ever knew. Thank you.
Every day Erin battles to hold on to her remaining health. She depends on those closest to her to get through each day, but even in the darkest hours her approach to life is bright and unwavering.
To slow the progression of MS Erin takes prescription drugs that can have extremely serious side effects. While these drugs can be effective at slowing the advance of MS, they are not a cure and do not reverse the effects of the disease. There is a treatment available for MS. The disease can be treated through stem cell therapy, but this form of treatment is expensive and is not covered by Provincial health insurance. Erin has been selected an excellent candidate for stem cell therapy; the only barrier to regaining her health is the cost of the treatment. MS has had devastating financial impacts that make it impossible for her to afford the treatment. This is where we are asking for help for Erin.
A donation from anyone who reads this will help Erin to get the treatment that doctors recommend. Any amount you can contribute will go directly to giving Erin her life back. The sooner Erin can get this treatment, the sooner she can start to reverse the ever-tightening grip of MS.
We are so grateful that you have taken the time to read a brief description of Erin’s story. For those who are able to donate: Erin, and those of us who are lucky enough to be involved in her life, will be eternally grateful.
First, I’d like to share a bit about Erin, who has been a friend of mine for many years. Prior to MS, Erin had a very successful career in tourism and business management that helped to employ many in our Central Ontario community. She is a loving single mother to two pre-teen boys. She was a runner and shared her love of physical wellbeing both personally and professionally. Erin is one of the most caring souls that I could imagine. She is vibrant, positive, always encouraging. She was an inspiring human being before MS; since being diagnosed she has become even more of an inspiration. MS has had crushing effects in every aspect of her life, but Erin’s positive spirit has only seemed to become stronger. Below are Erin’s words, written to her disease on world MS day:
Dear MS,
You are a taker. A taker of hopes and dreams. A taker of memories that I can no longer recall because of your lesions on my brain. A taker of independence and physical well being and the cause of pain.
I realized recently, that on June 5th, 2015, I quit planning for my future. That is heart breaking. You can take my sight, my mobility, even my breath. That makes the future a scary place to visit.
But, you are a giver too. A giver of silver linings and lessons learned no other way. A teacher of how to live in the now. A teacher that health is not a guarantee, even when we feel we’ve earned it. Even though I’ve always known it, you’ve proved a positive outlook will pull you through anything. I try to live everyday now like tomorrow may not happen. That in itself is a gift. Those of us who tread the road to battle you are called “warriors”. I get that now. We show up everyday for a battle we did not want to fight, and we are in for the fight of our lives. You showed me I am stronger than I ever knew. Thank you.
Every day Erin battles to hold on to her remaining health. She depends on those closest to her to get through each day, but even in the darkest hours her approach to life is bright and unwavering.
To slow the progression of MS Erin takes prescription drugs that can have extremely serious side effects. While these drugs can be effective at slowing the advance of MS, they are not a cure and do not reverse the effects of the disease. There is a treatment available for MS. The disease can be treated through stem cell therapy, but this form of treatment is expensive and is not covered by Provincial health insurance. Erin has been selected an excellent candidate for stem cell therapy; the only barrier to regaining her health is the cost of the treatment. MS has had devastating financial impacts that make it impossible for her to afford the treatment. This is where we are asking for help for Erin.
A donation from anyone who reads this will help Erin to get the treatment that doctors recommend. Any amount you can contribute will go directly to giving Erin her life back. The sooner Erin can get this treatment, the sooner she can start to reverse the ever-tightening grip of MS.
We are so grateful that you have taken the time to read a brief description of Erin’s story. For those who are able to donate: Erin, and those of us who are lucky enough to be involved in her life, will be eternally grateful.
Organizer and beneficiary
Matthew Coppins
Organizer
Peterborough, ON
Erin Shannon
Beneficiary
