Stem Cell Transplant for Myasthenia Gravis

My wife, and mother to our 4 year old son, Christine has been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis  14 years ago when she was only 19 Years old.  We are currently Scheduled fo an autologous stem cell transplant in Denver. 

Myasthenia Gravis or MG for short, is an autoimmune disease caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles.  This condition has left her with severe weakness that impacts her ability to move, see, speak, eat, and breathe.  She has been hospitalized dozens of times in an attempt to control this disease, sometimes requiring her to be on a ventilator in intensive care. 

Christine's condition has worsened in the last several years to the point were she is reliant on a feeding tube, wheelchair and two rounds of plasmapheresis her week, just to keep her out of intensive care

After failing all available treatments including steroids, immunosuppressants, IVIG, and multiple chemotherapy drugs, Christine has been categorized as refractory. The only treatment left that could save her life is an autologous stem cell transplant. We have been trying for over a year to find a doctor in North America willing to treat her, as it's a rare and final available  treatment for MG. After being turned down by several hospitals and clinics, due to the risky nature of the transplant. Christine has finally been accepted into a clinical trial at The Colorado Blood Cancer Institute at Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. 

This course of treatment requires Christine and I to move to Colorado for an indefinite period of time. Following the transplant Christine will be required to make numerous trips from Rhode Island to Colorado for follow up care over the next 5 years. All of these expenses together with some costs related to the transplant will not be something that insurance  covers.

In deepest gratitude to all, 
Richard Sullivan