Help Jennifer Receive Treatment for MS

Hello, I am Ashley, and I am initiating a GoFundMe campaign to assist my mother, Jenn in receiving treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).

According to the MS Society of Canada, MS is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system. The illness targets the nerve protective covering known as myelin, leading to inflammation and often myelin damage. Myelin plays a crucial role in transmitting nerve impulses through nerve fibres. Severe myelin damage, with scar tissue replacing it, can significantly disrupt nerve impulses. MS is unpredictable, causing a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, numbness, bladder issues, and mood changes, impacting not only physically but also emotionally and financially.

For my mother, the journey began in 2019 when she woke up feeling tingling and numbness from her lower torso to her feet and struggling to move her left leg. This prompted her to rush to the hospital as she had never experienced such symptoms. After blood work, ultrasounds, and X-rays, which appeared normal, doctors noticed possible lesions on her spine during X-ray scans. Following an MRI revealing brain lesions, she was diagnosed with MS and referred to the MS Clinic in Calgary. This news was devastating for her and her loved ones.

MS is known for its fluctuating nature, with months of symptom-free periods followed by flare-ups, lesion development and disappearance, as is happening with my mother. Despite multiple tests, scans, and specialist consultations, the prescribed medications failed to provide relief. Frustrated with the lack of progress, my mother ceased taking the medications and is now seeking alternative MS management approaches.

Before her diagnosis, my mother led a healthy, active lifestyle, raising two kids, travelling, working full-time, and dedicating her free time to volunteering. However, MS has progressively affected her physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being, limiting her ability to work and engage in activities she once enjoyed.

Fortunately, Jenn has been accepted to undergo the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) procedure at Clinica Ruiz! The opportunity for her to undergo HSCT at Clinica Ruiz could potentially restore her quality of life. While not a guaranteed cure, it boasts a 78% success rate. This treatment involves removing autotoxic immune cells, administering chemotherapy to eliminate these cells further, reducing white blood cells, and introducing new stem cells. Due to its invasiveness, a 30-day isolation period post-treatment is crucial to prevent infection and aid in stem cell acceptance.

Fortunately, my mother's early diagnosis provides hope for preventing disease progression. However, the treatment's unavailability in Canada means insurance won't cover the costs. Ironically, Canada has a high MS prevalence, with an estimated 90,000 Canadians living with MS daily, as per the MS Society of Canada.

I aim to raise $75,000 CAD by September 2024 to fund my mother's HSCT treatment, covering travel expenses, accommodation, treatments, tests, and medications.

I understand that times are tough for many people right now, and I appreciate any support that you can provide, whether it be through a donation or by sharing our fundraising campaign with your network. Our family is grateful for your kindness and generosity during this difficult time.