I was diagnosed in 2009 at age 23 and have been taking medication after medication to reduce disease activity and all of which have failed. I’ve been on 1000mg of daily steroids to treat my relapses for more than a year and a half without a break in the medication. I am blessed with two wonderful boys, Marko, age 2 and Jovanny, age 1. I suffer to see how little-by-little MS is taking over my life. Every MRI = new lesions, new lesion = more disability. More disability = fewer activities with my kids.

Recently, I learned of a promising treatment for MS — a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant. The transplant is being conducted in Chicago at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and could be the first MS therapy to reverse my disability. Treatment is chemotherapy followed by the stem cell transplant — a basic rebooting of my immune system.

Even with insurance, I will have many out-of-pocket expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor and hospital fees and travel and temporary housing relocation to be close to the transplant center just to name a few. I am here asking for help, help to get my MS treated and to stop MS from taking more from me. I have two boys that need me and I would like to provide, be there and care for them. Please help make a change — help me get to Chicago.

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 Southwest 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 the DONATE NOW bar.

Thank you in advance for your generous support

Sincerely,

Lissette Cortez