Help Rebecca Orvin Katonica Beat MS

20 years ago I received a call from my doctor. As many of you know it was an MS (Multiple Sclerosis) diagnosis. That news was devastating, but I am a fighter that never gives up!  I love life and over the last 20 years I have followed doctor’s orders hoping to arrest this disease in its tracks.  Although I had many good years, in 2010 everything changed.  An MRI confirmed that I had many active lesions on my brain or as my neurologist put it… I had a heavy lesion load.   For the last 8 years I have exhausted all interventions available, yet I’m still declining.  ‘They’ say I have some permanent damage.    But, I have just been approved for a procedure called (HSCT)-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.     This opportunity has high success rates of re-setting and restoring my body’s immune system with the hopes of never having new lesions.  There are also many cases where patients regain mobility they had previously lost.   Many MS sufferers have been helped tremendously by this treatment.

Those who know me know I work hard and play hard.  I had a great job, enjoyed many hobbies including horseback riding, volunteered countless hours at church and always found a good reason to host a party.  That is not what my days look like now.  Most days I run out of physical and mental energy by 2pm and must go to bed.  If I go out for errands I have to use my walker or scooter and hopefully someone to drive me.  I have vertigo and Tinnitus every waking moment.  Outdoor activities are very rare.  I’M READY FOR RESTORATION. 

“Life is in the blood.”  HSCT takes stem cells from my blood, ‘re-sets them’  then infuses them back into my body re-setting my immune system.  I must first go through a round of chemotherapy.  I will pretty much be in seclusion up to 4 months as to not get sick.  I will probably lose my hair and will be very weak.  I will need aftercare for a few months when I get home while my body is re-storing, re-setting, and re-viving! 

Can a price tag be placed on life?  Life is precious, and I want to live.   The all-in costs of this procedure is at least $65,000*.  Andrew and I have exhausted all our resources and insurance does not cover this procedure.  My current DMD (Disease Modifying Therapy) I have been on costs our medical insurance @$140,000/year.  Crazy!  The HSCT procedure is a one-time therapy for less than the pharmaceutical I’ve been on and works better!

We need your help to raise the funds to cover this procedure, reverse my condition and extend my life.  As hard as it is for me to ask, will you help send this otherwise strong, faithful and fiercely independent woman for an HSCT transplant?  It is my last resort.  Your contribution will greatly help improve the quality of my life.

 Every dollar, every prayer, every moment on this earth counts.

Your donating, sharing this campaign, praying, attending future fund raisers will be so appreciated.  I am humbled by the support I have already found. I never imagined I would be in this season but I’m clinging to hope.    I will keep everyone updated in my campaign video blog on YouTube at ">https://youtu.be/VQJwSVoaY8Y. 

Much love and appreciation,

Rebecca

 

 

 

 

 

*Procedure at Clinica Ruiz ($55,000), RT flights ($600/ea=$1200), MRI’s ($4,000), Passport updates ($300), Labs ($2500), PT (@$1500), OT (@1500), post-treatment in-home care  up to 1yr($5,000) None covered by insurance.