I am a prisoner of my own body! Please help me…

This year I turned 29 years old. I had many plans for life, disrupted by a complicated, incurable, and progressive disease—multiple sclerosis. After the diagnosis, I had to give up everything. I started a battle for my health, physical ability, and proper life. Today I need your help to continue my therapy. 

It all began at the beginning of December 2009, when I was just 18 years old. I developed pain in my left eye and a temporary reduction in vision. My eye doctor said it was optic neuritis. This is usually the first symptom of multiple sclerosis. And then everything went downhill… Further tests confirmed the diagnosis. The MRI of my head showed demyelination, which made it obvious that I developed multiple sclerosis! 

I was just entering adulthood, and didn’t even graduate from high school yet… It was hard for me to stay calm, but after the initial difficult time, I had to face the reality and start to fight for myself, to regain my health. Until January 2018, the symptoms of the disease had been relatively mild. The doctors had been able to suppress the intensified symptoms with steroid medications, followed by physical therapy in a rehabilitation centre, which had been effective. Unfortunately, the symptoms that appeared in 2018 could not be entirely reversed. 

The disease limited my mobility and I transitioned from being active to being dependent on others. I find it difficult to walk, I experience dizziness, and my vision is getting worse day by day. I do not cope in many situations. My mom had to give up work to help me with daily activities… 

I tried almost everything to fight the disease, with no results though. It keeps on developing despite my efforts… My daily routine is doctor’s appointments, hospital, taking medications, and physical therapy. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t qualified for a stem cell transplant in Katowice health centre (the only place performing that type of surgery reimbursed by the National Health Fund), due to the advanced stage and the duration of the disease. 

The only solution left is a stem cell transplant in a private clinic (for now it is the only therapy I can undergo). I am not going to be disqualified, provided, that my condition will stay the same. I have already obtained approval from the Bioethics Committee to receive a transplant. The treatment combined with physical therapy and proper medications gives hope to stop the progression of the disease. 

After many years of struggle, all I wish for is to regain my health, and not let the disease take away what’s left. Not let it put me in bed for the rest of my life.   

The treatment is my last resort, and even if it’s hard for me to ask for help, I don’t have a choice. I want to put up a fight, and I cannot surrender.  

Will you help me with that?

Anna Klimek

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Updates:

11 March 2022, 16:15

Treatment must continue! Please help!

I have just undergone the first stage of stem cell therapy—the fifth administration of stem cells took place on 8 March. Muscle strength testing proved a significant improvement in both upper and lower limbs (in comparison to the one performed before the treatment)! This is fantastic news…

The therapy is effective and combined with proper rehabilitation it could significantly help improve my health condition! However, another stage of the therapy (the next five injections) depends on whether we raise the missing amount of donations, which is enormous. 

I am asking you for your further support! Stopping the treatment can cause the loss of previous improvements… 

Anna

8 December 2021, 16:29

Another stage of therapy in January! 

On 30 November 2021, I received a second dose of stem cells through intrathecal administration. It was possible thanks to your donations, for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

The muscle strength assessment showed that after just one administration there has been a significant improvement in upper and lower limbs. It means that the therapy is effective! 

The next injection is already planned for the beginning of next year. Again I am asking you for help since the worst thing that can happen to me is to stop the therapy due to the lack of funds. That’s my biggest concern…

Anna  

9 November 2021, 10:38

Further therapy remains in doubt! Anna needs help! 

On 29 October, in the Polish Center for Cell Therapy and Immunotherapy in Częstochowa, Poland, I received my first intravenous administration of MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells). 

The next dose of stem cells will be injected directly into the spinal fluid every 5 weeks, provided, that we will raise enough funds. Unfortunately, there is still a lot to collect! 

Currently, stem cell therapy is my only hope. Combined with physical therapy and proper medications it gives a chance to stop the progression of multiple sclerosis! 

I don’t want the disease to cause my disability. 

I am begging you for help!

Anna

3 September 2021, 15:28

Anna is running out of time…

The first stem cell implantation is already planned for September. The next injections will be possible only if we raise the required amount of funds. It would be great if the administration took place every 4 weeks. It is said that such a short break gives the best results…  

Unfortunately, the amount to raise is still huge, that’s why we are begging you for your help!

30 June 2021, 15:13

Anna’s health condition is getting worse! 

The intensified symptoms that appeared lately, and resulted in admission to the neurology ward caused a shift in my situation—currently, I’m on the verge of qualification for stem cell therapy… 

The disease is in progress, and I’m running out of time to receive treatment which is my last chance! 

I’m afraid that soon it will be too late. Please help me…

Anna