Help Krissa Kick MS

June of 2018 took a very different and unexpected turn for Krissa.  She was driving back to Atlanta from our annual family lake vacation, traveling with alone with her two kids.  A numbness started to take over the right side of her body and the left side of her face, her vision began to double, and her hearing began to fade. She knew something wasn’t right.  She made it back safely to Atlanta and went to urgent care first thing the next morning.  She was sent to the ER, and the doctors initially diagnosed Krissa with a sinus infection.  With the numbness she was experiencing, she felt she was misdiagnosed and wanted a second opinion. 

 

After many doctors appointments and multiple tests, Krissa was finally diagnosed at Emory University Hospital with Multiple Sclerosis, at age 27. She was a fulltime employee at a job she admired and was committed to for 7 years, was a full time college student, who had just got accepted into the Nursing Program at Georgia State, along with raising her two kids.

 

As she shared the news with family, close friends, and of course her employer, this was news we were all devastated to hear.  Two weeks later, she was terminated from her job, and realized she would no longer would be able pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.  The life that she had strived to work hard for, especially continuing her education, came to a screeching halt.   

 

For those who are not quite familiar, Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system; A disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. The damage of the nerves is what is causing her numbness, vision changes, fatigue, memory fog, and difficulties in the simplest activities such as walking. She has better days than others, but without doing treatment the worse is yet to come. 

 

With her most recent brain and spine MRI results, which were completed in December, it shows new enhanced lesions and one, which is fairly large, growing on her brain stem.  Which means, the disease is progressing, and the nightly injections are not working. 


Krissa has done extensive research on the treatment of Stem Cell Therapy.  The success rates and results of Stem Cell Therapy are extraordinary, showing signs of dormancy and neuron repair.  With the Stem Cell Therapy, there is a lesser chance of experiencing relapse and a greater chance of becoming symptom free, while preventing the disease from progressing.  The Stem Cell Therapy, also known as HSCT, includes autologous stem cells, in which bone marrow stem cells are harvested from the patient for later transplant.  This is followed by a high dose of chemotherapy to eliminate autoimmune T-cells, which are responsible for the nervous system tissue damage.

 

 

With the support and approval of her MS Specialist in Atlanta, Krissa has found a doctor located in Puebla, Mexico at Clinica Ruiz to perform the Stem Cell Therapy.  At the rate the disease is progressing, we worry that time is not on her side.  

The total cost for this treatment, a 28 day stay in the hospital where her stem cells will be harvested, immune system erased, and then to be given back the healthy stem cells that will regrow a healthy, disease-free immune system is $54,500. Unfortunately her insurance will not cover this treatment. The cost is very intimidating, but she is willing to give it her best shot for her health and for her children. We are asking for any support to help with Krissa’s fight against Multiple Sclerosis. There’s no contribution too small, every little bit will help. If you are unable to donate please share. Thank you for taking the time to read Krissa’s story. 

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your generosity, love, prayers, encouragement, and support!  
 

We will continue to keep you informed with new updates during Krissa’s journey fighting MS.





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