Stem Cell Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Hello,

My name is Dany Sharif, and sadly, in 2019, I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I am desperately trying to raise funds to receive life-changing medical treatment known as stem cell therapy (aHSCT).

MS is a chronic and progressive disease which affects the Central Nervous System (CNS). My immune system is actively attacking my brain and spinal cord, rapidly deteriorating my brain's ability to communicate with my body. Usually, your immune system works to protect your body; however, in my case, this autoimmune disease is destroying the protective covering (myelin) around my nerves. This has quickly led to a widespread and catastrophic miscommunication between my brain and the rest of my body.

After reading the above details of how MS affects my body, it may not be easy to relate. I want to explain how this unfortunate diagnosis has affected my life so far. Before my diagnosis, I was a perfectly normal, fit and happy 29-year-old man. However, from the moment I was shown the lesions in my brain and spinal cord and given the devastating news - my life has become a constant, unpredictable battle with my symptoms. I initially sought medical help when I suddenly woke up to blurred vision and tingling throughout my abdomen and discovered I could no longer walk without crippling fatigue.

Since then, day by day, my symptoms have worsened. Sometimes, we take our ability to function correctly for granted. This disease has genuinely changed my perceptions of normality - since living an everyday life has become an unbearable chore. Now, I awake to painful muscle spasms, bowel issues and pins and needles throughout my body. Then, once I've gathered the mental energy to continue and fight through the rest of the day - I face a constant battle with my body. Trips and falls are so frequent now that I turn down important social events because I simply cannot fight the fatigue and nervousness like I used to.

Aside from the physical problems, my mental health has also become an issue. Unfortunately, dealing with such a severe diagnosis has meant I endure waves of negative thoughts and anxiety that worsen my symptoms. Not knowing what to expect from one day to the next has meant I’ve had to quit my job, and I spend much of my time at home, desperately seeking a positive outcome to this nightmare.

This is where you can help. After many hours of research, the healthcare specialists and I, concluded that there was a light at the end of the tunnel for me. Unlike many others with MS, I am young and healthy enough to be offered stem cell replacement therapy, known as aHSCT. Sadly, this treatment isn’t available to me on the NHS, so I'm having to fund it all myself using my life savings and, hopefully, a kind donation from you.

For a full breakdown of the costs, Click here

With Relapsing-Remitting MS - this is a time-sensitive disease, and given my quick deterioration, the lottery of waiting to see how bad it gets - leaves me no option but to seek this treatment privately. Although the damage to my brain and spinal cord cannot be reversed, aHSCT will stop the disease in its tracks.

With your help, I will receive over 120 million mesenchymal stem cells directly from my bone marrow. Over several weeks in the hospital, the doctors will essentially wipe out my current immune system (via chemotherapy) and re-introduce a new immune system (stem cells) that won’t attack my nervous system. It’s like a complete immune system reboot - and in many ways - a modern medical miracle for people like me.

Like you, I never thought I would be telling this story, but here I am. Unfortunately, I have to cope with the cards I've been dealt. With enough donations, I'll be given a second chance at life. With your help, I'll be given the opportunity to attend weddings and celebrations and other social events we sometimes take for granted. After the treatment, I can expect an increase in energy, strength and mobility. Although I may never completely rid myself of this disease - I have a chance at halting its progression completely.

Thankfully, I’m lucky enough to have many caring and generous individuals around me who’ve shown me unprecedented support, kindness and love throughout this journey so far.

Whether you’re able to donate or not - at the very least - please share this story on social media, so others can understand what I'm going through and give me the best shot at receiving the help I desperately need.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any donation you can spare. I’ll inform all my donors about my journey, however long it takes!

Dany