As most of you know, in June 2009, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) a chronic, unpredictable and disabling autoimmune disease that damages the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. MS can cause paralysis and even cause death. I have been blessed to not have many visible symptoms for much of my journey and even was able to have three more children (totaling six!) after my diagnosis. The last year, however, has been different. My walking is steadily deteriorating and my vision is drastically reduced due to optic neuritis. I have frequent tingling, numbness and loss of sensation in my hands, arms, legs and feet, and at times, experience extreme fatigue, foggy thinking and nerve pain.

Family and friends, I tell you all of this to explain why I need your help. I do not take this lightly; In fact, this is truly painful and incredibly humbling for me to come to you and ask for help. There is a treatment that has given me a tremendous amount of hope. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) uses a person’s own adult stem cells and is showing amazing results freezing MS in its track for almost all recipients and reversing some symptoms for many. Not having this treatment is not an option. I am a wife to an amazing man and mommy to six beautiful children. I love them with all my heart and look forward to being able to run and play with them again soon.