This auction is to help raise money for our mother, Leslie Hansen.  We are raising funds so she can receive HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Therapy) which has around a 90% chance of sending her Multiple Sclerosis into remission.  

As some of you may know, mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in December 2014.   During this past year, she has had 6 MRIs, 5 of which have showed new or worsening lesions in her brain. She was first put on the injectible medication Copaxone and then Rebif but both have failed. We now understand how aggressive Mom's MS is, and that her best chance at stopping this horrible disease is a procedure called Hematopoietic Stem Cell Therapy (HSCT). HSCT is a procedure where her own stem cells will be harvested. She will then be given medications that will essentially kill her malfunctioning immune system. Her own stem cells will then be given back to her to help kickstart a new immune system. This new procedure has been amazingly effective at not only sending MS into full remission but also helping to reverse symptoms. We are working to save up the $55,000 she needs for the procedure before this disease can do more damage but we need your help. 

The name ‘multiple sclerosis’ describes multiple scars or lesions, as seen on the brain and spinal cord. MS works by causing the patient’s own immune system to attack and destroy myelin, an insulating substance in the body that sheathes axons, which are the fibers the body’s nervous system commands travel through. When the myelin is lost, the brain cannot effectively communicate with the body.

In some cases, MS attacks the spine and outer appendages of the body. With Mom, her lesions are all in her brain, affecting her motor skills and cognition. Over the past year, Mom's disease has been very agressive.  We have all noticed major changes. She struggles getting her words out. It seems like she is mid-sentence and the words get "stuck".  She will slur her words and sometimes says the wrong word altogether.

Mom struggles with cognition.  It is very difficult for her to concentrate and stay focused on her day to day tasks and most recently, she is having problems with balance and walking.  

We are starting this auction in an attempt to gain more funds so she can get HSCT which is not covered by her insurance.

If you'd prefer to make a direct donation, we've set up a gofundme account. The URL is https://www.gofundme.com/keeplesliesmyelin.  Any help you can give is appreciated.

A special 'Thank You' to all the anonymous individuals and businesses that have donated products in order to make this a success. 

God bless!

-Lauren, Kate, and Joel Hansen