As many of you may already know, I was diagnosed with Crohns disease in 2001. I have been through all the available treatments since diagnosis with no long term relief. With all my options exhausted I was told that surgery to remove portions of my digestive system was my only option. I am only 25 years old, newly married, and am not ready to undergo a surgery that would limit and shorten my life.

My wife, Katie has been doing research and found a procedure that a few hospitals in the US are trying. This procedure is being used to cure many autoimmune diseases like Crohns. While the procedure is still new it has had great success. It is referred to as a stem cell re-boot. This procedure basically involves taking my own or a donating sibling’s stem cells and re-introducing them into my system after a tough chemotherapy regiment that will lower my immune system drastically.

A few weeks ago my wife, my parents, and I visited Chicago’s Northwestern University to begin pre-testing to determine my eligibility for this procedure. I was told not only did I meet their pre-qualifications but I was one of a very few patients who had tried and failed all other acceptable Crohns treatments. There are some risks involved but after 300 procedures just at Northwestern they have eliminated most of them. We will have to limit my contact with anyone that has a fever and no public transportation for a few months.

I am currently in the process of preparation to undergo this new stem cell procedure. This procedure is innovative and has had a 90% success rate, but all of that comes with a cost. Insurance is still pending to cover the huge medical expense. The cost of both Katie and I taking 6 months off work and staying in Chicago for the procedure and recovery process is more than we are able to manage. This is why we are writing you today. We need partners in this procedure, prayer is our biggest request. We would not be where we are today without our Lord and Savior. In addition, a fundraising campaign has been set up in my honor with HelpHOPELive. HelpHOPELive is a nonprofit organization that has been providing direct assistance to the transplant community for over 26 years. If you are compelled to join with us financially we would be so thankful for any donation to make this procedure more affordable.

Make checks payable to: HelpHOPELive Great Lakes Stem Cell Transplant Fund
Note in the memo section: In Honor of Tyler Wilson
Please send to: HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087

For credit card contributions, call 800-642-8399 or visit www.HelpHOPELiveund.org and enter Tyler Wilson in the “Find a patient” box on the homepage.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give. God bless!

Tyler and Katie Wilson