Brian Melton

Help Brian Get His Life Back!

In 2005, Brian Melton was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and his life was forever changed. Once an avid golfer and fisherman that loved the outdoors, Brian began having memory problems and experience dizziness and vertigo, leaving him stuck in bed for weeks at a time. Brian also faced severe fatigue and muscle pain, and eventually he could not stand up straight. After months of symptoms, Brian’s neurologist ordered an MRI who diagnosed him with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Over the years, the relapses took a lot out of Brian. Despite his illness, he was able to enjoy a professional career, marry his beautiful wife, Valarie and was able to be active in the lives of his children. In 2013, Brian worked a demanding job, and the stress of his position began to take a toll on his body. Brian went into a relapse that left him with permanent symptoms. Now unable to work, and with lesions on his brain, vertigo, numbness and balance issues, Brian’s condition has rapidly progressed.

Brian constantly worries about the future for both himself and his family. Instead of laying down and accepting a doomed fate, Brian vowed to do everything in his power to fight his MS. He’s researched the latest treatments and the success stories of others who have walked a path similar to his. Brian has found Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant or HSCT; the extraction of your own stem cells filtered from your blood, then chemotherapy wipes out the faulty immune system, and your stem cells are transplanted back. HSCT is only in the trial stages in the US, but the great news is that results have been amazing. Brian volunteered to receive treatment as part of the FDA trials, was evaluated in March at Northwestern University but did not meet the strict criteria. He has found a center overseas that has had promising results; The A.A. Maximov Department of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, in Moscow, Russia. Dr. Federenko has had phenomenal results based off of years measuring clinical progression.

Brian feels if he stands by and wait until the procedure is approved in the US there is no telling just how far the MS will continue to progress. In short, his body can’t afford to wait six more years. Brian has been on a waiting list to receive treatment at the facility in Moscow, and after a long two years, he finally was accepted for treatment and given a date of November 2016! The total cost for treatment at the facility in Moscow is approximately $50,000. Brian will also be required to travel to Moscow and spend a month away from his family. Coming up with $50,000 is overwhelming to Brian, and the “proud family man” that he is makes it more difficult for Brian to ask for money. The time has come for Brian to swallow his pride and he now asks you for your help. Getting back his life and being the husband and father that he can be is far more important to Brian than anything else!

To help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in Brian’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 Southwest Stem Cell Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click on the yellow DONATE NOW button. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Thank you ahead of time for your support! Any donation amount will help Brian fight back against MS. God Bless and thank you SO much!

Gratefully,

Brian Melton’s family and friends