My dear friend Christina Milnes suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.
Christina has suffered with this disease her whole life. Every day she is getting progressively worse. Some days parts of her body become numb, and even shut down, sometimes she regains the feeling or function and other days she’s not so lucky. She suffers through multiple doctor appointments, treatments, injections, and numerous medications. This disease affects her whole body including her mind and even moods. One day she could end up completely immobile and in a long term healthcare facility; and it may not be years from now, it could be months, or even days. The scariest part about having MS is that it's unpredictable. One day she could be fine and laughing, enjoying lunch with friends and time with her children and then wake up the next morning never being able to move again. She will never know when that time will come, and as of today she has been luckier than most her own age that are already living in nursing homes or have even died.
To this day there is NO CURE for MS! There are ways of treating MS. Comprehensive MS care begins with the diagnosis and lasts a LIFETIME. She has to work with her healthcare team to reduce disease activity, manage symptoms and maintain her quality of life. But none of these treatments are easy or cheap!! None of this will ever stop MS from continuing to take over her body and mind, until now!
Christina has decided to do Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) Treatment. HSCT attempts to “reboot” the immune system, which is responsible for damaging the brain and spinal cord. In HSCT for MS, hematopoietic (blood cell-producing) stem cells, which are derived from a person’s own (scientifically referred to as “autologous”) bone marrow or blood, are collected and stored, prior to depleting much of the immune system using chemotherapy drugs. Then the stored hematopoietic stem cells are reintroduced to the body. The new stem cells migrate to the bone marrow and over time reconstitute the immune system.
This treatment will not CURE her MS, but it will STOP the disease in its tracks and with the help of the Lord and all of your prayers and the skill of the doctors she could maintain a life as she is currently living, and not suffer further debilitation on her mind and body.
Unfortunately this is an experimental treatment so it is not offered in the United States, but there are renowned doctors performing this treatment successfully in Mexico and Russia. With that being said, Christina's Insurance will not cover the cost for this treatment. Because of her disability, Christina lives on a fixed income, and is unable to work. She needs our help to raise the money necessary to pay for the treatment. We will be hosting several fundraisers over the next year and are asking for your support either with monetary donations, in-kind donations, volunteers, or participation.
The goal for our campaign is $65,000. This amount will cover the cost for her to travel to Mexico, lodging for required six weeks, the surgery, a full time nurse during the duration of her treatment, medications, and meals. We will be accepting monetary donations as we as in-kind gifts. We will be hosting several fundraising events and activities. We will need volunteers, donations, prayers and lots of support over this next year.
Stay informed on upcoming events and donation and volunteer opportunities all year. Follow us on Facebook, Christina’s MS Battle Warriors. https://www.gofundme.com/christinas-ms-battle-fund
Help us in our efforts to make this wish for a treatment a reality of health! Become a Warrior in Battle to Fight Multiple Sclerosis!!
More info: thanksforthememoriesok.com
