Why I Need Stem Cells

Stem cell treatments are not yet approved in the U.S. If you want one, you have to travel out of the country. I need $38,000-50,000 for my treatment. A treatment that I believe, without a doubt, will make me better.

Lots of people have a reason that they need $30K (or more!!) Some may even need it for life-saving chemo. I'm not writing this blog request to those people. This blog is written to everyone else who can find a little extra to pitch in. To those of you who know me or my family, I come to you humbly asking for help.

There is always someone worse off than I am. There are plenty of Moms out there raising their children with physical challenges. Some with more difficult challenges than I face. There are plenty of Moms out there raising more kids with less money or less support or worse circumstances. If I weren't keenly aware of this, it would be a very tough road.

That said, there is nothing wrong with wanting to get better.

I am one of the 15% of total MS patients who have Primary Progressive MS - the worst kind. Relapsing-Remitting MS is the most common form. RRMS patients enjoy periods with zero to very little symptoms and then very distinct exacerbations from time to time. PPMS patients slowly worsen over time. It is not uncommon to end up in a wheelchair within 10-15 years. I'm on year 12 right now. Because of how this disease is progressing, without a doubt, I will be in a wheelchair in the next year unless something big happens. Stem cells are my "something big."

All the medication therapies that exist for MS benefit Relapsing Remitting. There is no FDA approved treatment for PPMS. The only drug that has shown promise is a chemotherapy drug called Rituximab. I have had two Rituximab infusions. According to my blood tests, it is doing its job. According to my ability to function day to day, it hasn't made a tremendous difference.

I have taken good care of my body since being diagnosed 12 years ago. That's probably why I'm still on my feet. However, in the past 4 years, the decline has accelerated. From 1997 to 2000, I walked on my own. From 2000-2008, I used a cane most of the time. Since 2008, I have been dependent on a rolling walker and my electric scooter. About a year ago, I began noticing a little less control in my hands. Now my left hand has visible tremors. I can look back 6 months and recognize abilities that I no longer have. I am quickly losing my independence. What is going to happen next season? How bad will it get?

I have two boys - a 12-year-old step son and a 4 year-old son. I have a wonderful husband who loves and supports us all. I'm not asking to run a marathon. I just want to take care of my family. I need to function better. Being in pain most of the time has affected my day to day mood greatly. It's so hard moving around my house. It's so hard getting in and out of a car. It's so hard when all I want (and need) to do is lie down and my son says, "watch this" or "play a game with me." Life doesn't stop long enough to get the rest that this MS demands. I struggle to get myself from room to room. Try to imagine having to army crawl through your house. That's what it feels like I'm doing. Often, my legs are just dead weight. It's tiring and it hurts. A lot.

There is promise in stem cells. I have read about people with MS whose symptoms have reversed. A great example can be found in the testimony of Paul Nicholas or of Holly Huber. And there are plenty more. Just ask Google.

There is no other treatment on the horizon for me. I am not currently taking anything that can improve my condition. I have fought this disease for 12 years. I have fought hard but I continue to worsen. My condition is worse now than I ever imagined it could be. Stem cell treatment is my only hope. And I have made a vow to God and now to anyone reading this page - I will use my improved health for good. I will pay it forward. This world will be better off when Dawn Gusty can walk again. Your help doesn't stop with my treatment. It takes form of my renewed energy that will allow me to do more in this world. And I promise that if any of you should come to me for help in the future, you will get it.

We have officially decided to travel to Tijuana, Mexico for my treatment. The company and the doctor have convinced us that this is the best place to go. This is also the easiest logistically for me and my family. If you'd like to pitch in and you are able, you can visit my paypal account - see the Donate button on the top right of this page under my picture. ANY amount would be tremendous. If you have questions, fund raiser ideas, or would like to help in other ways, please email me! In the unlikely event that I don't do this treatment, all donations will be returned. Should my cup overflow and we end up with more than we need, all money over and above the stem cell costs will go directly towards feeding school children in Haiti. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

FEB. 21 UPDATE: We have received $3,400 in donations this week!! How awesome. Thank you to all!
FEB. 24 UPDATE: We are now over $5000. Unbelievable. I have extremely generous friends.
MARCH 19 UPDATE: Total collected - $14,975. Almost half way there!!