Help Lisse Walk Again - Urgent MS Treatment Fundraiser

My wife Lisse is a devoted mother but MS is taking her ability to walk. Without immediate treatment she could become permanently paralyzed.

Lisse has had MS for 8 years. She has gone through multiple relapses, varying in intensity, but fully recovered after each. This past year, however, things have taken a turn for the worst. Her symptoms started shortly before giving birth to our daughter Effie. We hoped it was pregnancy related, but after Effie was born, Lisse's mobility continued to decline. We held onto hope that things would level out as her body recovered from childbirth.

The day Effie was born

Last week, while visiting family in the US, Lisse's condition deteriorated rapidly. She lost her ability to walk entirely. She collapsed in the shower and required help to get out. We saw a neurologist and Lisse went in for an MRI shortly after. 2 hours after the MRI, our neurologist called and told us to get to a hospital immediately. We were informed that Lisse has multiple lesions affecting critical function in her brain and spine. Left untreated, it is likely that she will become paralyzed and require assistance to breathe. This was devastating and unexpected news for our family. We spent 5 nights in the hospital while Lisse received emergency interventions to slow the rapid deterioration in her condition. This is only a pause, however, and now Lisse needs serious medical treatment or things will get worse.

Lisse receiving plasmapheresis treatment last week

After many conversations and careful research, we have decided that Lisse's best chance at recovery - her best chance to be able to hold her daughter, to be mobile, to move on her own and not spend the rest of her life exhausted and sick, in a wheelchair - is a full scale stem cell transplant procedure. HSCT Mexico (link here) is our number one choice - they have a proven track record helping people who are suffering from MS (3500 procedures over the past 20 years). It is an intensive 28-day long treatment involving chemo and a "rebooting" of Lisse's immune system, to stop it from attacking her own body. Most patients have significant reduction of symptoms and are able to return to work, parenthood, life in general. I sincerely believe this will change the course of Lisse's life.

Our neurologist advised that we act quickly- he classified Lisse's condition as "very aggressive." We cannot afford to wait any longer. We have confirmed a treatment date of March 31st, 2025. We have until February 28th to raise $89,000- without it, Lisse's future could be confined to a wheelchair. If 4,500 people give just $20, we can reach our goal.

Treatment cost: 60,500 USD = ~87,000 CAD

Flights, incidentals: ~2,000 CAD

Total: 89,000 CAD

Lisse needs this treatment to stay mobile, hold her daughter, and live her life. Thank you for reading this, for considering us, and for contributing to a life-changing cause.