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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 3, 2002)
may 3. 2002 /[ii;ïiiTvT4.Tine<u;s G eorgena Moran’s friends are try ing desperately to save her life. She has a severe form of multiple sclerosis, a disease that causes impairments in movement, cog nition and other hodily functions. A fiercely independent woman, Moran has made major adjustments since her diagnosis four years ago. Her developing disabilities led her to move her home and terminate her 17-year career as a cabinetmaker and carpentry business owner. Many M S sufferers experience periods of progression and remission; some are able to slow or even halt the disease with medication. How ever, Moran has the primary progressive form, which is unresponsive to current treatments and does not remit once it strikes. Her friends have organized a series of fund raisers to help her receive an experimental treat ment called an autologous stem cell transplant, offered at the Fred Hutchinson C ancer Research C enter in Seattle. Stem cells are immature cells that can mature into different cell types depend ing on environmental cues within the body. As M S is a disorder in which the body’s immune sys tem attacks the myelin surrounding nerve fibers, the goal of this procedure is for transplanted stem cells to generate a new immune system that won’t attack Moran’s myelin. T he first step is to give the patient an in jec tion of growth factor, which sends stem cells from hone marrow to the blood circulation. N ext blood is drawn, and the stem cells selec tively are removed and saved for the transplant. Then the patient’s immune system is destroyed using a combination of antibodies, radiation treat ments and chemotherapy. Finally, the stem cells are returned to the blcxxlstream, where they mature into cells of a new immune system. S aving G eorgena Lesbian with multiple sclerosis needs your help by C aitiin Sm ith T he prcxedure is promising in a limited study: 80 percent of severe M S patients who received stem cell transplants stabilized or showed mild improvement in their symptoms. But it’s risky: Immunodepletion leaves the patient vulnerable to deadly infections during recovery. And it’s expensive. Moran’s ffiends must raise an estimated $150,000 by June. In addition, recovery from the procedure requires an extensive support network and a fiery courage. Fortunately, Moran has both. Her strong determination and buoyant nature have inspired her friends’ tireless efforts. As Anne Bletcher says, “It’s easy to help someone who has spent all her time and energy helping others." Throughout the course o f her disease, Moran’s strength becomes even more apparent. She knows “every day will not be a good day, yet she finds goodness in every day,” Bletcher says. Her positive outlook will see her through the rigors o f the stem cell transplant. Moran, who now works as an adviser to help people with disabilities live independently, remarks: “I do all 1 can to improve the chances of good recovery through how I care for myself. Physically, emotionally, spiritually...I feel more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life. If it’s death that I face, I am pleased to be able to approach cially are seeking corpo rate sponsors. “W e need more net working to locate con tacts for possible grants.. .everyone knows 10 people or more who may be able to help,” she says. “I believe Georgena is fighting to live the fullest life possible, and given the opportunity for this transplant she will, hopefully, be with all of us with her humor, her laughter and her per severance for many years to com e.” Bletcher says Moran “still meets every day with the idea that she will find something that Georgena Moran “is a person who makes the world a better place, can make a difference friend Zekra Brasher says with her disease. Today her hope is in a stem cell transplant. W e want it without undo fear— as fully conscious as I’ve Georgena s hopes to become a reality.” ever dared to he.” Moran’s friends know, with help, she can Donors can visit www.georgenasjoumey.org meet this challenge. And she’ll do it with for extensive information on how to help courage and grace. J H Moran out. But she admits some facts are miss ing from the Internet site. G eorgena ’ s J ourney : A C ommunity C on “I’m not as pitiful as it may sound," she says. fronts M ultiple S clerosis will hold a women's “My life and journey, in a nutshell, may seem dance with D J Lauren from 7 to 11 p.m. May 4 pretty grim, [but] my life is a series of miracles. and a concert!silent auction from 2 to 7 p.m . You may not be able to imagine what joy I get from being surrounded by such loving people. If Ju n e l . Both benefits will take place at Trinity United M ethodist C hurch, 3915 S.E. Steele St. you do, you’ll realize how happy I am.” Moran’s ffiends are determined to give her CAITLIN S mith is a neuroscientist and free-lan ce the chance to halt her M S, but they are racing writer in Portland. time. According to Yama Crandall, they espe STATSCRIPT PHARMACY C H R O N IM ED S p e c ia lty P harm acy. 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