Jason Maestas

Three years ago, I married my 7th grade crush. Two and half years ago, my husband was unexpectedly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). During his first attack he lost sensation from the waist down. I should say this was his first attack that we knew of once he received his MS diagnosis. For the past two and half years Jason has been in and out of hospitals, gone to many doctor appointments, has had various labs tests and infusion treatments and many wonderful two to four hours of MRI’s.

I started researching any therapy that would help my husband. I started with www.clinicaltrials.gov. I was so overwhelmed. I didn’t know how or who to contact. I wrote down two names of stem cell research projects that were being conducted for MS. This thought was pushed aside until February 2015 when I renewed my research efforts. To my surprise, the two stem cell trails that I had previously read about were still being conducted. I called one of the names listed as a trial contact to learn more about the process only to be told that the procedure would cost us $15,000 and might have to be repeated in five years. Not quite the answer I was hoping for. My head was full with many thoughts. There are so many “what ifs” a caregiver would have if given the opportunity to save their loved one – what if I could help get rid of my husband’s pain?

There was a second name on the clinical trial list and in one bold stroke I sent off a much-labored over email outlining my husband’s situation. Even as I clicked the send button I wondered if I would receive a response. Fifteen minutes later, Jason came to me asking me about an email he had just received – it was from Northwestern Memorial Hospital – asking him to complete many medical forms and send medical records which we did via overnight mail. We were soon asked to send in two years of additional records, but waited three months to do so. We prayed every night asking for help – we wanted to be sure we were on the correct path.

After successfully completing his evaluations, Jason has now been accepted into the program at Northwestern. Even with insurance, he will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as:
co-pays and deductibles, travel and temporary relocation hosing to be rear to Northwestern for at least seven weeks, along with return travel and testing after six months.

To help with this financial burden of Jason, he may apply to receive assistance from HelpHOPELive, 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, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southwest Stem Cell Transplant Regional restricted Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation today and click the DONATE NOW button.

Thank you for your support!

Lindsey Maestas