MS: Busting the Myths
May 24, 2023 | Education, Event, Life with MS, Treatments, Webinar
Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ) and the New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust (NZMSRT) are pleased to invite you to our webinar to mark World MS Day on 30 May.
Autologous haematopoetic stem cell transplant (aHSCT) has captured the interest of patients and clinicians worldwide. Numerous New Zealanders with MS have travelled overseas to access aHSCT. This has meant undergoing intensive treatment in foreign countries, away from their loved ones and at a huge financial cost.
NZ is making headway towards it being made available here.
In November 2022 the Health Select Committee heard from MSNZ and petition submitter Joan Perry, about the benefits of making aHSCT an available option. Since then, Te Whatu Ora have been undertaking an internal review. This review is still ongoing.
In the meantime, work was simultaneously underway by a team of NZ Haematologists and Neurologists to provide early access to aHSCT for select patients who meet the proposed criteria.
We are excited to announce that the first NZ patient has successfully received aHSCT. We invite you to join us on World MS Day to hear from them, learn more about the proposed criteria and protocol, the recommended post-transplant rehabilitation protocol and exciting research taking place by New Zealand researchers.
While the webinar is free to attend, donations are gratefully welcomed and will help support our ongoing advocacy to make aHSCT more widely available in NZ. Donations can be made at www.msnz.org.nz.
