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MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys the protective coating around the nerves in one’s brain and spinal cord, resulting in severe deterioration of large and fine motor skills causing varying degrees of paralysis. Simple movements become mountainous tasks such as standing up and walking across the room, the inability to grasp a coffee cup, turn a knob on the stove, and becoming more severe creating an inability to swallow, breath, sit up independently (the list goes on) until eventually death due to inability of the body’s immune system to combat typical illnesses, colds, etc.
Those who knew me prior to my diagnosis, recall I enjoyed a very active life, horseback riding, snowmobiling, canoeing, camping, boating, swimming, and traveling. Since 2007, I have worked with many neurological specialists and top MS clinics to explore every possible medication/treatment to slow the course of the disease, with very little success. I am currently in a very progressive stage of the disease and have been told by my medical team there is no longer any treatment available that will help and nothing can slow the rate of the disease. I no longer drive due to the loss of control of both fine and large motor skills. I am able to use a walker for distances less than 10 feet but am confined to an electric wheelchair beyond that.
Throughout this journey I have tried to keep a positive attitude – praying that some new development would occur that could give me my life back. I have constantly researched innovative therapies that might be effective against this disease and found a treatment center, StemGenex, that offers a recently developed stem cell protocol/therapy for MS. Based on my research, I am very hopeful that this procedure might help reverse much of what MS has taken away.
Because this is not an approved medical treatment in the U.S., medical insurance will not assist with the cost of the treatment. Each treatment costs $24,000, and I will need two treatments ($48,000 total) due to the severity of my MS. To help offset such expenses, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the Great Lakes Stem Cell Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. If you would like to make a contribution, please click donate now.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and generosity.
Blessings to you,
Melinda Bender
Thank you to everyone for your contributions, your messages and your many prayers. I am blessed beyond measure to know you all. I am excited and very hopeful this treatment will allow me to regain some of what has been lost through the course of this illness and want to share a website that tells of the success others have had with this treatment. Should you have any questions, please contact me. I would be happy to talk more about this procedure. Thank you all again, Melinda
Donation updates to this site lag up to 2 days to post on the donation meter. Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Please know that I am very grateful for everyone's support, prayers, and good wishes! Thank you so much for taking the time to log on and help and for all of the prayers!
I put in my donation. When this is all done and over with, let's have a race. I bet I can still outrun you, little sister! (Except if there's a snake in the path, then you'll probably win . . . but only because I stopped to look at it).
Merri Jo
Hoping and praying for this treatment for you!
Dave and Jeanne
Hi Melinda,
I'm a friend of Merri Jo's. You are on my prayer list and I pray you will get the donations needed for this. I have a cousin who also struggles with MS. Take care and believe there is help as God knows what you need and He hears you when you ask. Blessings to you,
Dick and Bonnie Miller
Hi Melinda, I am a friend of your mom's from Freeman.
I feel privileged to donate to your cause where I know it will go directly to helping you. I would love for you to be able to get this help.
Laverne Diede
Hi Melinda....its been a long time since we have been in contact probably not since the good ole mailroom days! So sorry to hear about your condition and the struggles it must cause you. Sending prayers your way and wish you the best...Stay strong my friend!!!
Monica Griebel
Hi Mel
I'm sorry to hear about the progression of your MS. My prayers are with you and you are in my heart as you always have been.
I am sharing this on my page and I am sending a check. I pray that you get the resources you need for your continuing treatment. And I pray that Jesus helps you through this tremendously difficult challenge in your life.
Brian Walberg
Not ready to miss you yet, let's make it work!
Max and Nilda Zacher
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Melinda Bender
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.
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