Lucinda Tenas Montanez

Lucinda’s Journey to Stop a (M)on(S)ter, Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

(Hola, soy Lucí, una esposa y una joven madre de 3. Tengo una enfermedad debilitante llamada Esclerosis Múltiple. Si puedo conseguir que 1,000 personas donen $ 60 cada una, pagaría mi tratamiento. Gracias y Dios Te Bendiga.) *

Lucinda, my wife, is an aspiring teacher, mother, and friend to many. In October of 2009 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a progressive autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system. The effects of Multiple Sclerosis have never stopped her until now. A Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSTC) is the treatment she needs. HSCT stem therapy is an FDA approved treatment, but not yet approved for MS, so insurance won’t cover it. In Lucy’s case, our insurance will not even cover the FDA approved study here in Chicago.

In 2009, while in college studying to be a teacher, and in the middle of her studies, Luci went temporarily blind and had to drop out. Her MS continued to progress so that now she no longer has the ability to walk further than a couple of dozen feet without a walker, or even play with her kids the way she would like. The disease stops her from being able to function throughout the day as the fatigue is overwhelming even though she is only 31.

Lucinda has been accepted to have HSCT in Puebla, Mexico in November 2020 with doctors that have been working with leukemia patients since the thirties. HSCT will stop the progression of her MS.

No chemo = No cure.

Luci will most likely lose her hair but, such a small price to pay for your life back; children need their mother. Many people who have had the treatment have gotten back some of the things that this disease has taken away. Please Google HSCT blogs and you will see. HSCT will allow her to enjoy normal activities and time with her 3 children, Mariceli 3, Ezekiel 5, and Enrique 11.

An HSCT transplant works like this, Stem cells are harvested from the blood and refrigeration will preserve them while she undergoes non-meyoablative chemotherapy and then her stem cells will be reintroduced into her body via infusion to assist in the recovery process. Through consistent physical therapy people who have received HSCT have made great strides in recovery.

Lucinda has never been one to complain or ask for help until now. I want my children to experience the great love that my wife has for them. She wants to be able to enjoy activities with them, just not from the sidelines in a walker or wheelchair. We will need to raise an estimated $80,000. to cover the transplant cost, airfare, and food. The cost also includes a care person to assist her during treatment, lodging which is staffed with cooks and a housekeeper as cleanliness is key especially during neutropenia when Luci’s immune system will be very low from chemo.

Please consider helping during this difficult yet hopeful time in our lives. While the amount we need to raise is large, every dollar donated will bring Lucinda one step closer to this life changing treatment. Even if you cannot donate at this time, please share this appeal letter on your social networks or through emails. Prayers, well wishes, and love are greatly appreciated.

Adyle Montanez

Family and friends of Lucinda Montanez are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Illness.

Lucinda has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!