Young mum with multiple sclerosis to fly overseas for $70k treatment
A young Melbourne mum of two is planning on flying overseas for stem cell treatment after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Angela Rozas was 34 when she was diagnosed with MS after first feeling “tingling and numbness” in her feet and hands.
Within a year her condition rapidly deteriorated affecting her speech and balance.
“Having a shower is really hard,” Mrs Rozas said.
Medication only slows down the progression of the mum’s condition so she has decided to try a new treatment - but unfortunately it is not available in Australia.
A Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant reboots the immune system removing immune cells that are attacking the nervous system and replacing them with the patient’s own stem cells.
Overseas studies have shown some people experienced a reversal of their multiple sclerosis.
While the treatment is not available in Australia, there is a clinical trial under way at the Austin Hospital in Victoria. The procedure needs to be found to be safe and effective before it becomes standard therapy in Australia.
Mum shares her genius Kmart hack to avoid common laundry gripe
Revealed: The affectionate greeting your dog doesn't like
Cancer-stricken teenager 'not sick enough' for Centrelink benefits
The Australian Medical Association’s Dr Michael Gannon said new medications had been developed in recent year, but noted it was “very important” that unproven treatments be subjected to a “serious blowtorch”.
Mrs Rozas and her husband, Chris, plan on flying to Mexico in August despite treatment costing about $70,000.
Mr Rozas said he knows his wife is going to get better and believes the treatment will work.
The family has also set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the treatment.
