Like all parents to be Donna was thrilled to have started a family.
It was then a huge blow to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Donna treated members to a very interesting and moving presentation about the disease and her journey - a triumph of determination overcoming what seemed to be very difficult odds.
Multiple sclerosis is a progressive and debilitating disease of the central nervous system. It affects more young people than any other chronic neurological disease, 3 out of 4 sufferers are women and progress, severity and specific symptoms very widely amongst sufferers. MS itself is rarely fatal, but complications may arise from severe MS, such as chest or bladder infections, or swallowing difficulties. The list of potential symptoms is both long and daunting and the average life expectancy for people with MS is around 5 to 10 years lower than average.
Treatment in New Zealand is generally limited to drugs that look to slow the progression of the disease and reduce the symptoms.
Donna researched the disease intensively and saw hope for a much brighter future via a treatment - autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. This treatment is not available in New Zealand so following some intensive fund-raising Donna travelled to Russia to undergo the treatment.
The treatment is not for the faint hearted but the results have been amazing. Results show higher rates of improved disability, halted progression, reduced relapses, reduced brain lesion volume and overall improved quality of life. The cost is not inconsiderable but with the cost of the drugs currently used in New Zealand there is strong evidence for this treatment to be a very cost effective approach.
More of Donna's presentation which includes lots of information about the disease and the treatment is included below.
