Young Derry woman fundraising to receive life changing MS treatment

26 year old Derry woman Kerrie Hamilton was sadly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) aged just 17.

Kerrie, who currently works as a Staff Nurse, is now fundraising to raise vital funds to enable her to travel to Mexico and receive HSCT treatment to slow down the rapid progression of her condition.

With her prognosis, a medical intervention has to be resourced in Mexico, however this is out of the remit of the NHS and has to be funded by personal monies.

This is by no means a cure for her condition, however it will give her the chance to slow down the rapid deterioration thus enabling her to live a longer life.

Kerrie said: "This is the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever had to do and trust me- I know scary. 

"Out of everything, asking strangers for generosity and kindness in such economic uncertainty is terrifying.

"My Multiple Sclerosis Journey first began when I was 15 climbing up the Sperrin mountains for my Duke of Edinburgh silver award. 

"Halfway up the mountain without warning and unknowingly to my team members, I started having what I can only describe as electrical impulses in my head and down my arms not knowing what was happening.

"I just kept marching on. It was only weeks after when my double vision, slurred speech, muscle weakness and balance issues came to fruition that I went to my GP and was referred to Neurology, and two years later I was diagnosed with Relapse Remitting Multiple Sclerosis at 17 years old. 

"As you can imagine, this completely changed my life and how I saw my future."

Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive autoimmune disease, where your body’s immune system attacks your own central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) damaging the myelin coating that protects the nerves. 

This causes an array of symptoms such as muscle stiffness or spasticity, slurred speech, visual changes, tremors, paralysis, bladder problems, fatigue, depression and much more.

Kerrie continued: "Prior to my diagnosis, I went through a lot of difficulties at such a young age and at a time where I was still at school studying for my GCSE's and A-Levels. 

"I began to be absent a lot due to multiple doctor visits, scans, lumbar punctures and during this time, simple day-to-day tasks such as taking a shower and walking became seemingly more difficult, a direct result of MS and its symptoms. My life had completely changed.

"After finishing school, I gained a degree in Nursing despite my difficulties, as I’ve always wanted to help others and aspired to be a nurse. Now, I am asking for your help to fundraise."

Kerrie lives in Derry with her partner and their labradoodle, Noodle. Kerrie, alongside her family and friends, are fundraising to get Kerrie to Mexico and receive the life changing treatment.

The HSCT treatment aims to stop the damage caused by MS. The chemotherapy based medical procedure ablates Kerrie's immune system and effectively reboots it using her own stem cells that will be harvested prior to treatment. 

This treatment is not guaranteed to halt everyone’s MS progression, but thus far has proven very effective. 

It has been found that the sooner the treatment is started the more effective it is, "Ideally, I would like to access it before this disease robs me of any more of my abilities and the sad inevitability happens – losing the ability to walk and my own independence," Kerrie said.

"As a result of the ongoing and worsening conditions, I am now seeking a breakthrough treatment in the hope it will help bring some normality to my life and halt progression of this unforgiving auto-immune disease. 

"The money fundraised will go towards the medical procedures, aftercare and medication. I would be so grateful for any contribution to my cause."

Kerrie's friend, Kerry Wray added: "Kerrie struggled on through her daily challenges and received her degree in Nursing, which she continues to do so as her career. 

"However Kerrie has had to leave the hospital as the workload was too strenuous on her body. She is currently working at Foyle Hospice covering Palliative Care. 

"This in itself is testament to her strong courageous character, as it is giving her an in depth look to her future at present, so when she heard of this treatment she could see ‘hope’ and is trying her best to raise the much needed funds, to not only extend her life but slow down the progression so that she can continue to do what her ‘calling' is and that is be a nurse.

"Despite everything that Kerrie has to overcome in her personal life, she is still working and giving back to people. She is a remarkable young woman."

This treatment Kerrie needs is set to cost £55,000. There is a fundraising page you can donate to via this link.

Also, Kerrie's friends and family are hosting a fundraiser on May 12 at Dirty Harry's in Derry's Waterside. They are kindly asking local businesses to donate to the cause if they can for a raffle on the night. Please contact: ekwray76@gmail.com