‘Putting something back’ links determined people behind newest HSCT charity

It was almost two years ago that Ian Franks brought you the welcome news that AIMS was a new HSCT charity. Today, he looks further and finds a young but efficient organisation united by a desire to 'put something back'.

If HSCT is so safe, why haven’t I had it?

HSCT (Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) is an effective therapy to fight multiple sclerosis,  the level of side effects is acceptable, and the therapy is safe, Ian Franks believes. Now, he answers the question why he has not undergone HSCT himself,

Paul pays tribute to dedication of staff as he prepares to leave Moscow HSCT centre

Although I have taken a break from writing during August, I just had to catch up with Paul Morrison who, earlier this month, travelled to Moscow to undergo HSCT for multiple sclerosis. The exact type of the disease is a matter of opinion, his neurologist says Paul has SPMS, but tests in Moscow indicate a …

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Paul’s Moscow HSCT for MS journey begins

I had planned to take a break from writing this month, August being a slow news month that is well known among journalists as the silly season. That's when minor stories are given major coverage, because of a shortage of stories of real substance. However, I could not let Monday August 6 go unmarked. Why? …

Charity AIMS to help MS patients to have HSCT

A new multiple sclerosis charity has appeared in the UK, inspired by one successful HSCT treatment, provided free of charge by the country’s National Health Service (NHS). It is the first charity dedicated to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for MS patients living in the UK. The treatment was given to James Coates two …

#paulsfighttowalk : Support sought for HSCT in Moscow

Former Londoner Paul Morrison is seeking support to travel to Moscow to receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in August. These days Paul (46) and his family live a stone’s throw from my home in southern Spain. He shares my challenge of living with multiple sclerosis. His dad, Phil, has set up a GoFundMe account, …

HSCT ‘safe and effective’ for people with relapsing MS, international study

At last, interim results of an international study show haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective and safe treatment. It outperforms disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for people with highly-active relapsing MS. Sadly, though, that’s as far as the study goes. Despite there being numerous people with progressive MS who say they have benefited from …

Caroline hopes HSCT has halted MS – 12 months on, no new lesions

HSCT is a great treatment for multiple sclerosis but, to be fair, its beneficial effects are not felt by everyone who undergoes the therapy. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, to give HSCT its full title, is an intense procedure. It involves harvesting stem cells from each patient, doses of chemotherapy suppress the immune system, before …

Drugs, risks, spending cuts, deaths, new drugs, and so much more

As we reach the start of another year, it seems a good time for me to review the last 12 months, as seen through the eyes of 50shadesofsun.com. January The year began by focusing on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Dr Denis Fedorenko of the HSCT centre in Moscow published a guide to the procedure. …

HSCT is superior to DMTs say Swedish researchers

At last, independent researchers have endorsed autologous hematopoietic stem cell tranplantation (HSCT) as a treatment of choice for multiple sclerosis. Well, treatment for relapsing MS, anyway. The study “Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for neurological diseases” was published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. In it, Swedish researchers, from Uppsala University, say autologous HSCT …