Help David Trimble Halt Progressive MS
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Help David Receive Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transpant (HSCT) to Halt Progressive MS
David Trimble is battling a progressive disease that threatens to leave him wheelchair bound as his ability to walk unaided steadily declines. David’s being confined to a wheel chair, at the age of 37, is a foreboding reality within the next several months.
David’s story
The first indication that something unusual was going on happened eleven years ago when his left leg became numb. Doctors, including a neurologist, had no answer to his symptoms. Fortunately, symptoms faded away.
In late 2017 David began having similar symptoms, this time, in both legs and feet. Numerous Doctor visits & tests were inconclusive. Months passed between the availability of appointments. His legs, balance, and fatigue worsened slowly but steadily. In June of 2018 he began falling at work, needing assistance to stand up. He was unable to perform his responsibilities as an assistant manager of a local Walgreens and had to resign.
He was eventually referred to the Colorado University MS Clinic in Denver. After a three month wait, he saw a specialist who ordered additional tests. A couple of months later, September 2018, David received the diagnosis of Primary Progressive MS.
What is the difference between Relapsing and Remitting MS (RRMS) compared to Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks a person's nervous system. This results in a wide variety of neuromusculer symptoms. David’s symptoms thus far are in the lower half of his body. Over time the symptoms can affect his upper body, as well as, his brain. That is why halting the progression of the disease, if possible, is critical to do now. There are two basic types of MS:
(1) Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) is fairly common making up 85% of MS cases. In the first type symptoms come and go over a lifetime, sometimes severe and sometimes barely discernable.
(2) Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) makes up only 15% of MS cases. As in David’s case the symptoms of Primary Progressive MS worsens steadily without reprieve.
Current Treatment
David has undergone two infusions 6 months apart at the MS Clinic. His third will be in October 2019. The infusions are given in the hope that they will slow the progression of the disease. Thus far, there is no way to measure whether or not they have been effective, as his physical symptoms continue to steadily worsen. As of July 18, 2019 he can barely walk 100 feet and that is with a cane or walking stick. Falling has become a regular and unpredictable occurrence. It is heart-breaking to observe!
Pain in his feet and legs has become more severe. Medication helps to relieve the pain to some degree. Other symptoms common to MS are also present including extreme fatique and dizziness.
Fortunately, David has qualified for disability and Medicaid which has made the treatments received thus far possible. We are deeply thankful for this assistance.
Turning point
In a desperate search for other forms of treatment, David began researching Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). Currently, this treatment is not approved by the FDA in the United States though it has been conducted for several years in various other countries. There are trials being done in the US but the only patients qualified for the trials are persons with Relapsing Remitting MS. One location is charging the patients $125,000 to participate.
A long time family friend heard of David’s condition and reached out to him. He had recently been diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS and had gone to an out-of-country clinic specializing in the HSCT treatment. He had nothing but positive and encouraging things to say about the clinic and his treatment. He urged David to investigate it thoroughly which David has been doing. David is also on several closed Facebook groups consisting of persons from all over the world who have received HSCT treatment at the same clinic, most with positive results. (*Check below for a more detailed explanation of the treatment.)
Urgency
After a certain stage of progression, David will no longer be a candidate of HSCT treatment. Within a few months David could be at the stage where he would be denied participation. The time to act is now. David has made his decision with the support and encouragement of his parents. He has been in contact with the clinic and has an arrival date set for March 2, 2020. Since the treatment (of necessity) is out of country, David must pay all expenses “out of pocket” thus we are seeking support from family, friends, and any who have the heart to help.
Projected Costs & Gofundme Goal
1. The basic cost for the treatment over a 28 day period is $54,500. This includes a furnished apartment, maid service (cleaned and sanitized daily), and meals for the patient and his caregiver. David’s father, Duane Trimble, will go as David’s caregiver.
2. An MRI upon arrival at the clinic is an additional $700.
3. We anticipate travel costs for two, plus incidental expenses in country for 28 days, and blood test for several weeks following the procedure (which may or may not be picked up by Medicaid) is estimated to be $5,000.
4. The Gofundme Goal has been set at $60,000.
(Needless to say David being on disiability cannot pay for this treatment, neither can his retired parents, though David and his parents will be contributing as much as they can.)
When Are The Funds Needed?
The treatment cost of $54,500 is due by January 2, 2020. The remainder of the goal will need to be in hand by February 15, 2020.
*What is Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)?
HSCT is a chemotherapy based medical procedure that wipes out your immune system and reboots it using your own stem cells harvested from your blood or bone marrow. (This is not the same as stem cell therapy that has become popular here in the United States.)
HSCT is the only medical procedure currently available that has halted the progression of MS in the majority (78%) of patients who have used this treatment method administered at the clinic under consideration. There are risks associated with this procedure. However, it is the only promising treatment available especially since the infusion treatments being received locally have had no obvious effect in slowing David’s decline.
David Trimble is battling a progressive disease that threatens to leave him wheelchair bound as his ability to walk unaided steadily declines. David’s being confined to a wheel chair, at the age of 37, is a foreboding reality within the next several months.
David’s story
The first indication that something unusual was going on happened eleven years ago when his left leg became numb. Doctors, including a neurologist, had no answer to his symptoms. Fortunately, symptoms faded away.
In late 2017 David began having similar symptoms, this time, in both legs and feet. Numerous Doctor visits & tests were inconclusive. Months passed between the availability of appointments. His legs, balance, and fatigue worsened slowly but steadily. In June of 2018 he began falling at work, needing assistance to stand up. He was unable to perform his responsibilities as an assistant manager of a local Walgreens and had to resign.
He was eventually referred to the Colorado University MS Clinic in Denver. After a three month wait, he saw a specialist who ordered additional tests. A couple of months later, September 2018, David received the diagnosis of Primary Progressive MS.
What is the difference between Relapsing and Remitting MS (RRMS) compared to Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks a person's nervous system. This results in a wide variety of neuromusculer symptoms. David’s symptoms thus far are in the lower half of his body. Over time the symptoms can affect his upper body, as well as, his brain. That is why halting the progression of the disease, if possible, is critical to do now. There are two basic types of MS:
(1) Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) is fairly common making up 85% of MS cases. In the first type symptoms come and go over a lifetime, sometimes severe and sometimes barely discernable.
(2) Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) makes up only 15% of MS cases. As in David’s case the symptoms of Primary Progressive MS worsens steadily without reprieve.
Current Treatment
David has undergone two infusions 6 months apart at the MS Clinic. His third will be in October 2019. The infusions are given in the hope that they will slow the progression of the disease. Thus far, there is no way to measure whether or not they have been effective, as his physical symptoms continue to steadily worsen. As of July 18, 2019 he can barely walk 100 feet and that is with a cane or walking stick. Falling has become a regular and unpredictable occurrence. It is heart-breaking to observe!
Pain in his feet and legs has become more severe. Medication helps to relieve the pain to some degree. Other symptoms common to MS are also present including extreme fatique and dizziness.
Fortunately, David has qualified for disability and Medicaid which has made the treatments received thus far possible. We are deeply thankful for this assistance.
Turning point
In a desperate search for other forms of treatment, David began researching Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). Currently, this treatment is not approved by the FDA in the United States though it has been conducted for several years in various other countries. There are trials being done in the US but the only patients qualified for the trials are persons with Relapsing Remitting MS. One location is charging the patients $125,000 to participate.
A long time family friend heard of David’s condition and reached out to him. He had recently been diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS and had gone to an out-of-country clinic specializing in the HSCT treatment. He had nothing but positive and encouraging things to say about the clinic and his treatment. He urged David to investigate it thoroughly which David has been doing. David is also on several closed Facebook groups consisting of persons from all over the world who have received HSCT treatment at the same clinic, most with positive results. (*Check below for a more detailed explanation of the treatment.)
Urgency
After a certain stage of progression, David will no longer be a candidate of HSCT treatment. Within a few months David could be at the stage where he would be denied participation. The time to act is now. David has made his decision with the support and encouragement of his parents. He has been in contact with the clinic and has an arrival date set for March 2, 2020. Since the treatment (of necessity) is out of country, David must pay all expenses “out of pocket” thus we are seeking support from family, friends, and any who have the heart to help.
Projected Costs & Gofundme Goal
1. The basic cost for the treatment over a 28 day period is $54,500. This includes a furnished apartment, maid service (cleaned and sanitized daily), and meals for the patient and his caregiver. David’s father, Duane Trimble, will go as David’s caregiver.
2. An MRI upon arrival at the clinic is an additional $700.
3. We anticipate travel costs for two, plus incidental expenses in country for 28 days, and blood test for several weeks following the procedure (which may or may not be picked up by Medicaid) is estimated to be $5,000.
4. The Gofundme Goal has been set at $60,000.
(Needless to say David being on disiability cannot pay for this treatment, neither can his retired parents, though David and his parents will be contributing as much as they can.)
When Are The Funds Needed?
The treatment cost of $54,500 is due by January 2, 2020. The remainder of the goal will need to be in hand by February 15, 2020.
*What is Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)?
HSCT is a chemotherapy based medical procedure that wipes out your immune system and reboots it using your own stem cells harvested from your blood or bone marrow. (This is not the same as stem cell therapy that has become popular here in the United States.)
HSCT is the only medical procedure currently available that has halted the progression of MS in the majority (78%) of patients who have used this treatment method administered at the clinic under consideration. There are risks associated with this procedure. However, it is the only promising treatment available especially since the infusion treatments being received locally have had no obvious effect in slowing David’s decline.
Organizer
Duane Trimble
Organizer
Loveland, CO
