Help James fight MS with HSCT in Mexico

Help James fight MS with HSCT treatment

Hello, my name is James Coull, I am 44 years old, and I live on the Isle of Skye with my wife and children, the youngest being only 9 years old. I am reaching out for your support in a battle I never thought I would have to face.

In December 2023 I received the life changing diagnosis of RRMS, relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. I first noticed that something was not right in March 2023, when I lost control of my legs on a short walk which previously would not have been a problem for me to complete. Unfortunately, at present there is no cure for MS. Most people, me included, are prescribed DMT’s (Disease Modifying Therapy)in the form of pills, with the aim of these being at best to reduce the frequency of MS relapses to delay the disability progression. It is expected that my symptoms will remain chronic with a slow decline in function in a fluctuating pattern. This has taken its toll on me physically and mentally; I have had to give up my job and even the simplest of every day tasks can now be overwhelming for me.

After much consideration and conversations with individuals who have been in the same situation , I have found a treatment that can be highly effective and enhance quality of life. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, HSCT is an established chemotherapy medical treatment demonstrated to be very effective at halting disease progression in neurologic autoimmune diseases, such as MS. The aim of this treatment is to reboot my immune system to stop it from attacking the protective covering of nerve cells in my brain, optic nerve and spinal cord, called the myelin sheath.

Initially my stem cells will be harvested and stored under strict conditions and chemotherapy would then be administered to further eliminate the immune cells that are responsible for the underlying autoimmune disease, this will mean that I will experience a ‘temporary transient immunodeficiency’ period where I will be extremely susceptible to infection. When the cleaning of the immune cells is completed, my hematopoietic stem cell autograft will be retrieved from storage and infused back into my bloodstream. After a period, my immune system will be restored with healthy cells and devoid of auto-toxic cells.

This treatment is not an option for me through the NHS, which is why I need to go to Mexico for world-class medical attention that is internationally recognised, as you can imagine it comes at a significant cost, which brings me to why I have set up this Just Giving page. I would be extremely grateful for any support you can provide, and I express my heartfelt gratitude in advance. Every donation, no matter the amount will bring me ever closer to regaining the quality of life I once enjoyed and gives me the willpower to beat this disease. Once again, I thank you for taking the time to read this and any support you can offer.

James