Zach Crist & family’s Fight for Hope

Psalm 143:1, 11

“Lord hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. For your names sake, LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness bring me out of trouble.”

In 2022, two weeks after Zach and Jasmin had their second child, they were hit with hardship. A chronic and incurable diagnosis that has reigned havoc ever since. Over the past 2.5 years, Zach and Jasmin have kept Zach’s diagnosis of relapsing remitting Multple Sclerosis (RRMS) private as they hoped to navigate it with the support of our healthcare system, integrative care, their strong faith and close friends and family. However, in just a few short months Zach’s health has drastically declined and caused worry among Zach's doctors and loved ones. Due to the aggressiveness of his RRMS now turning into PPMS his current treatments have not been successful at halting the disease progression, the window of hope narrowed very quickly. This lead them down a desperate path to seek other options or morsels of hope to help him. Finding Dr. Burt at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA offered that and one of the only programs in the United States to use stem cell transplant and chemotherapy to reset the immune system in the hopes it will stop attacking itself and allow for better management of symptoms and stop the quick progression of this relentless disease. During this time Jasmin and Zach have tried desperately to live as normally as possible as they raise their 2 young children. Going to work every day no matter the pain, being a father, husband, supporting a new business and a small farm lifestyle they both love so much. With Jasmin by his side advocating and relentlessly seeking options to help find new ways to ease symptoms and try to figure out the best and safest options. To say the least, it has been a trying process with not many options left.

Considering recent testing and advisement of his medical team he no longer has the time to wait for other options or for his insurance company to offer support over this only known treatment of his aggressive form of MS. This treatment is Zach's only known hope left for his future. Unfortunately, due to insurance denial of the first 2 claims for this procedure they are put in a situation to pay for his full treatment out of pocket. With a vast majority of it being required to even get Zach on the books for starting this treatment in October. Jasmin continues to fight and advocate for Zach, she is currently working on her third appeal to submit to the board of trustees. However, time is not on Zach's side. Continuing to wait for an approval that may take up to a year or more or may not even happen at all is not an option anymore. He unfortunately doesn’t have the time, or he will no longer qualify for the procedure due to the rapid progression of this disease. The upfront cost is $85,000, for chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, inpatient hospitalization. Not including the unknown cost of outpatient stay due to symptoms and safety of this treatment, travel to CA, being unable to work during this time and the many other things that will come up during this difficult time.

The realization that Zach's situation has come to this has been beyond devastating for them. If you know Zach and Jasmin, you know how incredible they are & self sufficient, the last thing they hoped to do would be to ask for help. But their options are quickly dwindling. There are so many people who love and want to support them and have been asking how to do so. We understand that many people are also going through difficult times in life and have immense empathy for that. Even just your prayers and positive encouragement are so appreciated. But if you are able or feel it on your heart to do so, we want to offer this option of money donation to come alongside & support this family’s journey. Any help, prayer, or sharing of Zach’s story is beyond appreciated. They want to thank everyone for their support as they move forward on this very difficult road.

If you would like to follow this family + Zach's story there is a private FB group that updates are shared on regularly to keep friends, family, and the community updated. (Zachs Journey against PPMS)

Another option for donations -

First National Bank in Bagley/Fosston has an account open under Zachary C Crist where you can bless this family as well.

Along with a Benefit in November, watch for more updates.

Thank you.