TIME is running out for a ‘desperate’ Rugby woman to raise enough funds to treat the ‘cruel’ disease which has left her unable to walk or talk.
Laura Bedford’s career as a transport manager was cut short seven years ago when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the age of just 27.
Now the 34-year-old has just over a month to raise the funds she needs for treatment which she hopes will ‘kickstart’ her life – or face an agonising three-month wait for the next opportunity, during which time the disease could progress further.
The disease which is ‘attacking’ her body leaves her dizzy, numb, forgetful and in pain every day.
She said: “My MS is progressing. It has got worse and worse, and I can do less and less.
“My immunune system, which normally helps to fight off infections, is attacking my body.”
She has applied for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation treatment in Russia which will ‘reboot’ her immune system – stopping the disease’s progression in its tracks.
It is available in the UK, but Laura does not meet the criteria to be offered the treatment on the NHS.
She has already raised over £28,000 of the £41,000 she needs – but if she doesn’t raise the remaining £13,000 in time for her treatment on August 14 she will have to wait until November.
“For the first time in many years, I feel hope again,” she said.
“This treatment can’t fix the damage to my spinal cord, brain and other areas which has already been done by the disease.
“But it should stop me getting any worse and offer hope for the future.
“I’m desperate. I will be forever grateful to anyone able to help me kickstart my life again.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/helplaurabedfordcureherms to donate.
