Jemma to Mexico for HSCT

Hello,

My closest friends and family will be well aware of the struggles my Dad has faced with fighting his Multiple Sclerosis (MS) over recent years and also more recently our trip to Mexico, where he spent one month at Clinica Ruiz in Puebla receiving life changing treatment to help halt the progression of his MS. What a lot of people don’t know is that we would not have known about the treatment if it was not for Jemma, a close friend of my Dad and fellow sufferer of MS.

The treatment is haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which involves intense chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. This is the only proven treatment that can halt the progression of MS. All other forms of treatment involve highly potent medicines that have been designed to slow down progression, not stop it. The NHS are behind the curve on HSCT and whilst they have supported the treatment for just over 2 years, the access is very limiting and restricted. Therefore, those wanting to take control of their own health are forced into going private. Clinica Ruiz is the most experienced medical facility in the world having performed this treatment for over 20 years to over 3000 patients.

The cost of traveling to Clinica Ruiz to receive the treatment is £55k, which is the cheapest of any private HSCT options available!! Jemma, 31 years old from Edinburgh, is having to fundraise herself as there is no financial support available to help with the costs.

Jemma was diagnosed with MS at 21 and has worsened over time struggling day to day with excruciating pain, fatigue, mobility and many other symptoms that affect her lifestyle. Jemma has tried all options to control her MS, however the progression continues and the only option to have a second chance at life is HSCT.

Jemma has the support from her family and friends in making this difficult decision to go through with the procedure, however time is never on your side with MS and she needs support to get there…and quick before it’s too late!

My Dad and I want to do everything we can to support Jemma. The first goal is to help her reach the financial target to book the treatment. I will therefore be putting myself through some challenges over the summer to help raise some money and raise awareness to support.

Any contributions will go a long way to giving hope of a second lease at life for Jemma.

Many thanks

Jamie & Ian