Help Me Save My Brain
Donation protected
In April 2018, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Since then, my neurologist and I have tried two treatments to slow progression of this disease. Unfortunately, I have continued to experience MS symptoms, and the progression of my MS has not stopped. While some of my physical symptoms have faded, my constant fatigue and cognitive symptoms have increased. I can feel my brain slowing down. I'm ready to put a stop to MS once and for all!
Around the US, a few doctors have begun clinical trials with stem cell transplants (HSCT) to stop the progression of MS. Here is a link to tell you what HSCT is: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-News-Progress/Stem-Cells-in-MS/Bone-Marrow-Stem-Cell-Transplant-%E2%80%93-HSCT#section-0.
These trials are very difficult to get into and do not guarantee that participants will actually receive the stem cell transplant. However, in many other countries (such as Russia, Switzerland, Israel, India, and Mexico), HSCT is the standard of care for MS patients when regular treatments do not stop progression.
After much thought and prayer, and discussions with family and doctors, I have decided to try this treatment. I will be traveling to Mexico to receive treatment from Doctor Pedro Ruiz, who is a distinguished alumni of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Here is the link to his info from the Mayo Clinic: https://alumniassociation.mayo.edu/guillermo-ruiz-arguelles-m-d-hem-1983/. The treatment will take place at Clinica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico in February 2020. Here is a link to the Clinica Ruiz website: https://www.hsctmexico.com/index.php?lng=eng.
Unfortunately, health insurance does not yet cover this treatment. I am lucky enough to have family supporting me on this journey, but they cannot cover the entire cost. So, I am starting this GoFundMe in an attempt to raise additional funds to help ease the financial burden of the treatment. Expenses will include the actual HSCT treatment, living expenses while I am unable to work, travel costs to get to and from Mexico for treatment, and any unforeseen expenses that come up along the way.
Why do I want this treatment? HSCT is the only treatment known to stop the progression of MS when medications fail. This is the treatment actress Selma Blair sought in Chicago (that clinical trial is now over). I want to look forward to a long life where I'm not exhausted all the time and my mind is clear. I want to avoid physical symptoms resulting from additional flare-ups and accompanying nerve damage. I want to be able to keep working and using by brain to help people for a long time. I want to stay independent. For patients with MS similar to mine, the treatment is 85-90% effective in halting the progression of MS. It frequently reverses existing symptoms as well. The treatment works best for younger, newly diagnosed patients, so I am choosing now while the odds are most in my favor. I'm hoping to not only halt the progression of my MS, but also reverse some of the symptoms I'm currently experiencing.
Even if $20 is raised, I will consider that a success!
As an aside, I hate to ask for donations. If you are interested in helping out, but don't want to donate, I will also be doing a bake sale through the middle of January to fund raise. The dates on the Facebook event are weird, just because of Facebook's rules, but it will go through January! Happy Eating, if you go that route. Here are the details: https://www.facebook.com/events/735290583618633/
Around the US, a few doctors have begun clinical trials with stem cell transplants (HSCT) to stop the progression of MS. Here is a link to tell you what HSCT is: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-News-Progress/Stem-Cells-in-MS/Bone-Marrow-Stem-Cell-Transplant-%E2%80%93-HSCT#section-0.
These trials are very difficult to get into and do not guarantee that participants will actually receive the stem cell transplant. However, in many other countries (such as Russia, Switzerland, Israel, India, and Mexico), HSCT is the standard of care for MS patients when regular treatments do not stop progression.
After much thought and prayer, and discussions with family and doctors, I have decided to try this treatment. I will be traveling to Mexico to receive treatment from Doctor Pedro Ruiz, who is a distinguished alumni of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Here is the link to his info from the Mayo Clinic: https://alumniassociation.mayo.edu/guillermo-ruiz-arguelles-m-d-hem-1983/. The treatment will take place at Clinica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico in February 2020. Here is a link to the Clinica Ruiz website: https://www.hsctmexico.com/index.php?lng=eng.
Unfortunately, health insurance does not yet cover this treatment. I am lucky enough to have family supporting me on this journey, but they cannot cover the entire cost. So, I am starting this GoFundMe in an attempt to raise additional funds to help ease the financial burden of the treatment. Expenses will include the actual HSCT treatment, living expenses while I am unable to work, travel costs to get to and from Mexico for treatment, and any unforeseen expenses that come up along the way.
Why do I want this treatment? HSCT is the only treatment known to stop the progression of MS when medications fail. This is the treatment actress Selma Blair sought in Chicago (that clinical trial is now over). I want to look forward to a long life where I'm not exhausted all the time and my mind is clear. I want to avoid physical symptoms resulting from additional flare-ups and accompanying nerve damage. I want to be able to keep working and using by brain to help people for a long time. I want to stay independent. For patients with MS similar to mine, the treatment is 85-90% effective in halting the progression of MS. It frequently reverses existing symptoms as well. The treatment works best for younger, newly diagnosed patients, so I am choosing now while the odds are most in my favor. I'm hoping to not only halt the progression of my MS, but also reverse some of the symptoms I'm currently experiencing.
Even if $20 is raised, I will consider that a success!
As an aside, I hate to ask for donations. If you are interested in helping out, but don't want to donate, I will also be doing a bake sale through the middle of January to fund raise. The dates on the Facebook event are weird, just because of Facebook's rules, but it will go through January! Happy Eating, if you go that route. Here are the details: https://www.facebook.com/events/735290583618633/
Organizer
Brittany Wray Cope
Organizer
Richmond, TX
