Sandra Lease

Sandra Lease (or Sandi), a resident of Hyndman, PA and loving wife, mother and grandmother, has been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for over 20 years. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the nervous system and often leads to paralysis and loss of vision. Over the years, Sandi’s battle has included numerous conventional medications to try and halt the progression of her disease. Unfortunately, she has not responded well to these treatments, and has lost hope for her future. After consulting with her physician and researching treatments for MS, Sandi learned of a promising therapy known as HSCT or a non-embryonic stem cell transplant. She feels that this treatment is her best hope for a return to good health, but unfortunately it is very expensive as her health insurance does not cover the cost of treatment or related expenses. Sandi desperately needs your help to afford stem cell therapy, and deserves the chance to halt her MS and a chance at a better life!

Sandi attended Allegany High School and was active on her Drill Team, The Arrowettes. You may know Sandi from her working years at LaVale Swim Club, or when she worked at PoFolks Restaurant (where she met her husband Tim). She also worked at Bob Evans Restaurant, County Market Deli, Cumberland Times News Classifieds, and later taught Sunday School at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Sandi is a past Girl Scout Leader, Cresaptown Pee Wee Football Team and Cheerleading Team Mom and has volunteered at a number of charity events such as The American Cancer Society Relay for Life and The Hyndman Volkswagen Show. As you can see, Sandi’s had a full and active life, but her MS has slowed her down significantly. She wants nothing more than to start living life again and to spend time with her loving and supportive family!

Since 2005, Sandi has been disabled and is no longer able to be a part of the work force. For the past 2 ½ years, she’s been wheelchair bound and is unable to drive, due to weakness and numbness in both her arms and legs. With the support of her family and the strength of her faith, Sandi remains hopeful for improvements in her medical condition and to halt the progression of her MS. The total cost of stem cell therapy, including travel and lodging, could easily exceed $20,000. Sandi will also need extensive physical therapy after treatment, and a restrictive diet and nutritional supplements to sustain her health.

To help with the financial burden of Sandi’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in her honor has been established with 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 Mid-Atlantic Stem Cell Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant related expenses only. Sandra has chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive in part because HelpHOPELive assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the yellow DONATE NOW button. For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your good wishes and generosity,

Sandi’s family and husband, Tim Lease, 814-842-9854, [email protected]