Laura Gerami is 56 years-old and has been living with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, or MS since 2010. Her symptoms have greatly limited her daily life, and Laura can no longer drive, work or read because of neuropathy and nerve damage around her eyes. Laura now relies on a wheelchair for mobility, and she is no longer able to walk on her own. She has poor balance, vertigo, severe pain, muscle weakness and nerve discomfort in both of her legs. Laura faces profound fatigue from her MS, yet her sleep is disrupted constantly from the pain that she faces on a daily basis.
Laura has wonderful support from her family and her two loving sons, but she looks forward to the opportunity to gain more independence and greater mobility. At present, Laura’s mobility issues are severe, and she has limited use of her left arm as a result of tremors. Over the years, Laura has tried conventional medications to treat her MS, but she is very frustrated as her progress and response to these medications have come to a halt. After much research, Laura has come across a promising treatment known as non-embryonic stem cell therapy, using Laura’s own isolated stem cells which are then reintroduced to help boost her immune system. Laura is hopeful this treatment will help reduce and prevent further symptoms, and possibly halt her MS in its tracks!
Laura loves to volunteer her time with new mothers and babies, something she has done for many years. This has increasingly become more difficult, and more than ever Laura wants to be able to hold the infants and help new mothers, something she misses a great deal. It’s nearly impossible to hold the newborns with the use of only one arm, and Laura wants her life back so she can give back 100%! Unfortunately, MS is a very unpredictable disease and could eventually lead to Laura being unable to walk and even bedridden. Stem cell therapy could prevent Laura’s condition from progressing, giving her the chance to volunteer, drive, work and live a better life in the near future.
While stem cell therapy could be the answer to relieve Laura’s symptoms, her health insurance unfortunately does not cover this procedure. The cost of this therapy is upwards of $15,000 and this fee does not include travel, lodging, meals and required follow up appointments and therapies. Laura is excited that she has been approved by StemGenex in California, however she cannot afford this therapy with her limited income, and Laura is seeking your financial support!
To help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in Laura’s 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 Southeast Stem Cell Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. To make a donation to this fundraising campaign, please click on the yellow DONATE NOW button. For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Please consider helping Laura reach her financial goal. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and generous financial support!
Gratefully,
Laura’s loving family, friends and Community
