Parky's MS Stem Cell Transplant Charity Fundraise

Aim

To raise funds for MS charities and continue Brass Bands England's Youth Work whilst I'm unable to work myself during treatment.

I am currently in hospital undergoing a groundbreaking treatment for my MS called Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) to remove my immune system with chemotherapy and start growing a new one thanks to stem cells. The treatment really is unusual for MS patients in the UK with only a handful reaching the NHS eligibility each year, but it is starting to develop as a potentially life changing treatment option for people with MS.

Receiving my stem cells on transplant day after a week of intense Chemotherapy

You may have heard of the treatment for people who suffer from Leukaemia and this treatment is almost identical but as the treatment is much more common the support network around the treatment is much more developed with charities such as Anthony Nolan and Cancer research UK providing everything from patient advice and support, grants into research, travel bursaries and wider support such as in hospital Wi-Fi and subsidiary support like physio, massage, talking therapy and family support. 

As this treatment is so new and so rare the support side from MS charities is very underdeveloped by comparison and as such I have not been able to access the support that is available to people in adjoining rooms under going the cancer version. In reality I have been very lucky and avoided the worst side effects, but should I have needed them they are not available. This fund raiser is partly to support the work of AIMS a relatively young charity established to support patients who might benefit from HSCT with information and advice as well as grants to support the hidden cost of treatment like travels grants. 50% of this fundraiser will go to AIMS. More info about AIMS can be found here https://www.aimscharity.org/

The other half of the fundraiser will go towards Brass Bands England. I would normally be putting my all into my work for this charity in supporting Brass Bands and their communities all over the country. While I'm undergoing treatment, I've had to take a break from this important work and I'd really like to be able to support the work an a small way in my absence. The 50% raised here going to BBE will support the charities Youth Programme of work Brass Foundations. If you want to find out more about the work of BBE please go to our web site at https://www.bbe.org.uk/.

I've been posting about my treatment if you would like to see more on my Facebook profile https://www.facebook.com/trumpetmanalex

This project successfully funded on 15th December 2023