Jenny’s treatment fund now at £25k
Huge support for teacher diagnosed with MS
An online appeal to secure a Balfron teacher the chance to have life-changing MS treatment has now topped £25,000.
The Go Fund Me page was launched by the sisters of Jennifer MacKay - a pupil support teacher at Balfron High - who is hoping to access specialist treatment aimed at slowing down multiple sclerosis after she was diagnosed with the condition earlier this year.
As we reported in Wednesday’s Observer, the 43-year-old had been struggling with weakness in her muscles since 2017, with doctors initially putting the issue down to a protruding disc in her back.
But following further tests ahead of a back operation, the MS was discovered, leaving an uncertain prognosis over the progression of the disease and potential lingering disability.
After researching her options, Jennifer hopes to raise £50,000 to afford special haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) treatment which aims to slow down the progress of the condition - with the best options to receive the treatment being in Russia and Mexico.
She was soon inundated by support and well wishes from locals and the campaign has now broken through the halfway point - with Jennifer posting a message on the fundraising page thanking those who have got behind her mission.
She wrote: “Thanks again to everyone who has been so kind and generous supporting my fundraising campaign. Words can barely express my gratitude.”
HSCT is an intensive chemotherapy-based procedure which stops the damage caused by MS by wiping out and regrowing the patient’s immune system using stem cells.
The treatment is offered in the UK, but the criteria for treatment on the NHS is strict and Jennifer will not be offered the treatment on these shores, which necessitates the need to travel abroad.
That prompted Jennifer and husband Stuart, the head teacher at Dunblane High, to search for options to afford the treatment, with sisters Ally and Elaine setting up the online fundraising page.
The success of the page so far has led Jennifer to express her gratitude to all of those who have got behind her, including those back at the school.
Jennifer said: “There is a charity which has been set up to raise awareness of HSCT treatment in the UK and there is loads of information on their website, including lots of success stories from people who have had it. The success rates are quite high in halting the progress of MS and I felt it just seemed as if that’s what I had to look into rather than sitting here and waiting, doing nothing.
“It’s very expensive to cobble the journey out there together so people said to do a fundraising page and I’ve just been overwhelmed with the support.
“It makes me feel so appreciated and cared for, I never thought so many people would reach out to me and contribute financially, it’s just so humbling.
“I knew it was going to be hard emotionally when I put this out there but both the staff and the kids have been so kind and sharing the page.
“This treatment isn’t guaranteed but the percentage is very high and the impact could be life changing in terms of being able to keep working and doing things with my three children.”
To donate and show your support, you can visit the page at gofundme. com/f/jennys-hsct-journey.
Words can barely express my gratitude Jennifer Mackay
Planning applications submitted to Stirling Council w/e September 22.
ARNPRIOR Application under Section 42 of Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act to remove requirement to close off existing access, within condition 2(a) of planning permission reference 15/00080/ PPP at Arnfinlay FK8 3HA for Mr Steven Barnes.
BLANEFIELD Single storey rear extension to house at 30 Glasgow Road G63 9BP for Dr and Mr Eilidh Macrae and Andrew Brown.
BUCHLYVIE Single storey extension to rear of house at Saddlers House, Main Street FK8 3LX for Mrs Muriel Holroyd.
CALLANDER Change of use of agricultural land to registered children’s outdoor nursery facility, siting of two portakabins on hardstanding area, parking and existing access will be used at land opposite Molendhu Road for Managed Estates.
DOUNE First floor extension to side of house involving first floor balcony at 6 Elm Court FK16 6JG for Mr and Mrs J Pringle.
FINTRY Designated parking facility within woodland to provide visitors a safe parking option and involving road upgrade including passing places, new link path from car park to existing road network, and restriction of current bellmouth parking area at land east and south of Gartcarron Filters Cottage for Forestry and Land Scotland.
GARGUNNOCK Extension to house at 14
The Glebe FK8 3AX for Mr and Mrs Carmel Patel.
KIPPEN House (one and three quarter storey) and detached garage (Plot 1) at land some 50 metres north west of Station House for Mr and Mrs John Colquhoun; Single storey house at land adjacent to north east of Helensfield, Rennie’s Loan for Mr Jamie Martin.
Schedule at planning reception, council access points, libraries and www.stirling.gov. uk.
Applications submitted to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority w/b September 13.
ABERFOYLE Installation of fencing with gates and warning signage to aqueduct bridge over River Duchray for Scottish Water.
CRIANLARICH Sixteen chalet/cottages and erection of reception/function building at Portnellan Highland Lodges FK20 8QS for Mr Cameron Taylor; Extensions to existing dwelling to form new porch and new living/ dining room at Tigh An Fraoich FK20 8QS for Mrs Mary Murchiston.
DRYMEN Subdivision of land and conversion of existing bothy/outbuilding to create new house and erection of garage at Endrick Hill, 80 Main Street for Dr Nadja Ray.
Park schedule at LLTNPA HQ, Balloch or via lochlomond-trossachs.org.