Kelly Gaiser

Most people would describe Kelly Gaiser as a fun-loving, active and “outdoorsy” young woman, with endless amounts of energy. She rode horses her whole life, went hiking, swimming, biking and loved to stay active. Kelly worked all day, and sang in a local band during her weekends. Volunteering with her licensed therapy dog at a local nursing home was her passion, and always put others first. But that was the Kelly back then. The Kelly we know now, has drastically changed!

Kelly always felt deep in her heart that “something wasn’t right”. She would wake up with fatigue and pain, even after a good night’s rest. Seven years ago, Kelly suddenly lost feeling on the right side of her body while at her gym. “I must have pulled something”, she thought. A few weeks later she lost vision in her left eye. Her nightmare was just beginning — Kelly was diagnosed with relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic condition that only tends to get worse. MS is an unpredictable, disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, to the body. While there is no cure, high doses of medications and steroids, and painful injections, would be Kelly’s new way of life. She was told she would not get better, but medications may slow down her illness if she were lucky.

Kelly had many “relapses” and eventually gave up her job, volunteer work, outdoor activities, and eventually she became disabled. The heat, walking, standing, singing, her memory; everything was changing for Kelly and she was no longer able to do the things she once knew. The MS was and is destroying Kelly’s body.

Kelly married her college sweetheart, Dan and they have two adorable, young daughters together, Danielle and Gwen, and Kelly is the step-mother to Cheyenne and Madison. More than ever, Kelly wants to get better so she can enjoy her time with her children, and give them the life they deserve. After researching new treatments for MS, Kelly found that a physician at the University of Chicago was running the 3rd phase of FDA approved clinical trials using chemotherapy and stem cell transplants to treat MS. There is an 86% success rate with this type of treatment, known as HSCT therapy.

While Kelly travels for treatment, her husband will be required to take off of work. She will also incur out-of- pocket medical expenses for travel and lodging, transportation, meals, caregiver fees, and health insurance premiums. If Kelly is not accepted into the study at the University of Chicago, this means she will be heading elsewhere for a stem-cell transplant, and could cost upwards of $150,000. Kelly desperately need your help!

Please click on “Donate Now”, and know that any donation amount is truly appreciated and one step closer to Kelly receiving her much needed treatment! Thank you for your consideration and support,

Gratefully,
Kelly’s loving family and friends