Rayanne Dooley from Borris-in-Ossory was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a week after she turned just 22.
It took a few years to be diagnosed and due to covid it took even longer. Rayanne had multiple relapses and began losing mobility in her legs at an alarming rate.
In 2021, Rayanne had a huge relapse, leaving her paralysed from the waist down. “I genuinely thought that was the end,” she said.
“My last effort to save myself was trying to get into Musgrave Park Hospital in the neurology ward in Belfast, which thankfully I did. The neurologists and doctors told me they didn’t know or think I would ever walk again but I was much too stubborn for that.
“I worked so hard every single day with private physios and got to a place where I could walk short distances with an aid again. With all the spare time I had there I truly believe I found myself, my confidence and who I truly am.. which is not someone who gives up – ever.
“I am now on an infusion based treatment that I get twice a year called Ocrevus and I am very grateful but I’ve stalled and I’m no longer getting any better then what I am at.”
Rayanne now needs Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) – a treatment for autoimmune diseases that has proven to halt disease progression.
“I will be travelling to Clinica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico for this treatment as it is not only the best in the world but also the cheapest,” Ratann said.
“It is a 28-day intensive inpatient programme where I will first undergo intensive chemotherapy to kill off the immune cells that are attacking my system; followed by then having my own healthy stem cells transplanted back in so that the body no longer remembers it has MS.
As Gofundme take a percentage of all donations made, Rayanne will be trying to offset that extra cost through ‘Room to Bloom,’ where she creates flower bouquets.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here, where €10,000 of the €50,000 target has already been reached.
There will also be a 24-hour Dartathon held in August with the proceeds going to Rayanne’s treatment.
The 9-dart challenge will be held in The Brewery Pub, Rathdowney on August 18th at 6pm.
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