Help Fund AL’s Urgent Stage 4 Parkinson’s Treatment

Fundraising Goal: $47,000 (approximately £35,000 gbp)

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

We are raising $47,000 to fund urgent Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) treatment for AL, who is living with Stage 4 Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsons doesn't just affect older folks it affects younger people too. Due to Al's advanced progression and accelerating physical decline, this opportunity cannot be delayed.

Why This Treatment Is Being Pursued Now

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, digestion, and daily functioning. At Stage 4, symptoms are severe and independence is significantly reduced.

While FMT treatment exists in the UK, it is not currently approved or used for Parkinson’s disease. Because of this it is also not covered by standard medical insurance policies. As a result, the full cost of treatment, travel, and follow-up care must be funded privately.

It may take years before this therapy becomes available in the UK through the NHS. Given AL’s current condition, waiting is not a viable option.

AL is experiencing accelerated muscle wastage, compounded by significant Parkinson’s-related gastrointestinal dysfunction. Despite adequate food intake, nutrients are no longer being properly absorbed or processed. This malabsorption is contributing to rapid loss of muscle mass, strength, and weight.

One of the primary aims of FMT therapy in Parkinson’s is to help restore gut microbiome balance and improve gastrointestinal function. Improving nutrient absorption and gut processing is a key reason this treatment is being pursued, as it may help stabilise or partially reverse this aspect of physical decline.

Published clinical studies, including PubMed-indexed research from China, have reported consistently positive outcomes in small Parkinson’s cohorts receiving FMT, with improvement observed across all participants in some studies. Larger trials are still needed and individual results vary, but the growing body of evidence supporting the gut–brain connection is a significant factor in seeking treatment now.

Research has also associated FMT in Parkinson’s patients with:

• Improvements in digestive function

• Increased energy and overall wellbeing

• Improvements in motor symptoms such as stiffness and mobility

• Improved quality of life

In some reported cases, significant symptom reduction has occurred, and in rare instances near-complete functional recovery has been documented. Results vary, but given AL’s current trajectory, this represents a time-sensitive opportunity.

Treatment Protocol

The recommended protocol involves three FMT treatments spaced 10 days apart, carried out under medical supervision. Structured follow-up monitoring is required after the initial phase to assess response and guide ongoing care.

Why the Cost Is $47,000

The funds raised will go toward:

• Three FMT treatment procedures

• Pre-treatment screening and donor testing

• Clinical supervision and specialist care

• Multiple return flights for treatment and follow-up appointments

• Hotel accommodation for each visit

• Travel and accommodation for a full-time carer, as independent travel is no longer possible

• Post-treatment monitoring and follow-up care

Because the protocol requires staged treatments and structured follow-up, this involves multiple trips rather than a single visit.

Why Turkey or Spain

Specialist clinics in Turkey and Spain currently offer FMT under experienced medical oversight, with structured protocols, comprehensive screening, and follow-up care not presently accessible for Parkinson’s patients in the UK or US.

How You Can Help

• Donate if you are able — every contribution makes a difference

• Share this page with others who may be able to help

• Leave a message of support — encouragement truly matters

For someone living with Stage 4 Parkinson’s, experiencing gut-related malabsorption and accelerating muscle loss, time is critical. This treatment represents hope — a chance to stabilise decline and improve quality of life while that opportunity remains.

Thank you sincerely for your compassion, generosity, and support.