A FORMER NHS care assistant is hoping the new year will see her raise £40,000 to fund groundbreaking treatment.
Joceline Colvert, 41, from Haywards Heath was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 22.
During the last few years her condition has deteriorated and forced her to give up her job as a nursing assistant.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or HSCT, is available on the NHS but because Joceline’s diagnosis was more than 15 years ago, she does not qualify for NHS treatment.
It means she has to fund treatment outside the UK.
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She has raised £27,000 for the procedure at a specialist clinic in Russia, due to start in March next year.
The treatment involves removing the patient’s stem cells, followed by chemotherapy and then re-introducing the “cleansed” stem cells, effectively erasing the body’s memory of MS.
Joceline said: “I am so excited about the difference the treatment could make to my life.
“I bought my first wheelchair this year and decided I had to do everything to stop my mobility deteriorating any further.
“I was devastated I didn’t qualify for treatment on the NHS but rather than become despondent I’ve put my energy into funding the treatment independently.
“People have been so generous and I can’t thank family, friends and complete strangers enough for their help so far.
“I’m hoping that I can reach the fundraising target so I can make the trip to Moscow.”
The treatment has an 80 to 90 per cent success rate.
HSCT is not expected to cure MS, however in most cases it “freezes” it and stops it getting any worse and most patients see their mobility improve.
Joceline said: “For years I have been dreading the future but for the first time I am excited about it and hopeful that I will be able to walk unaided again.
“My dream is to be able to take my ageing dog for a proper walk in the future.
READ MORE: Mother refuses to be 'beaten' by MS after losing her son and husband
Although my husband takes her out, one of the hardest things is not being able to enjoy time outside with her.”
The donations to Joceline’s Gofundme page have reached two thirds of £40,000 needed to fund the treatment.
If you would like to donate and help Joceline make it to Russia, visit Joceline’s GoFundMe page https://gf.me/u/y538k2
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