In Memoriam: Dr Riccardo Saccardi
We are deeply saddened to hear Dr Riccardo Saccardi passed away on Monday 19th February 2024 in Italy after a battle with cancer. Dr Saccardi was a haematologist and the Director of Cellular Therapies and Transfusion Medicine at Careggi University Hospital in Florence, Italy. He was involved with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT) for […]
aHSCT for MS in New Zealand – Webinar Recording Now Available
Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ) and the New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust (NZMSRT) are pleased to share with you our aHSCT for MS in New Zealand webinar that marked 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 Voice Newsletter – May 2023
Welcome to the May edition of the MS Voice Newsletter! Your trusted source for the latest updates, inspiring stories, and valuable resources in the world of Multiple Sclerosis. We are excited to bring you another month of insightful content that aims to empower, educate, and connect individuals affected by MS. In this edition, we delve […]
aHSCT webinar: World MS Day 2023
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 […]
Submission to Select Health Committee to make aHSCT available in New Zealand
This morning, 9th November 2022, MSNZs President, Neil Woodhams and petition submitter, Joan Perry made an oral presentation to the Health Select Committee calling for them to make aHSCT an available treatment option in NZ. It was live streamed on Facebook and the recording can be viewed here. Fast forward to 59:08 to hear Joan […]
Making progress to make Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Treatment (aHSCT) an available treatment option in NZ for MS
Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Treatment (aHSCT) is an intense chemotherapy treatment which aims to wipe out harmful immune cells and rebuild the immune system. aHSCT is a life-improving treatment halting the disease and disability in its tracks. A person receiving aHSCT will potentially need NO further treatment. Following treatment, many PwMS report improvements to mobility, […]
MS in the media: Nurse, Zazi, thought her MS symptoms were due to new job stress
An Auckland nurse was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after first believing her symptoms were due to career stress. Zazi Gohar, 26, from West Auckland’s Te Atatū, learned she had MS, an often disabling disease of the central nervous system, in 2020 after her legs and hands became completely numb. Gohar said she’d been experiencing symptoms of MS since she was […]
Media: Kiwi’s with MS thriving from overseas stem-cell treatment urge Government to approve it here
The Government’s being urged to get a move on and approve a stem-cell treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A petition was presented to Parliament on Tuesday, calling for the Health Minister to fund the treatment which has shown to halt some of the debilitating symptoms of the disease. Three years ago Anne Besley […]
aHSCT petition delivered to Parliament – watch the video
Such an exciting day yesterday when we were able to witness Joan Perry’s aHSCT petition, with over 10,000 signatures, being received by ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden on the steps of Parliament. It was then presented to Parliament later in the afternoon. Watch the exciting moment here: https://youtu.be/rEDa7MN2C74
aHSCT in the news: We’re fed up waiting for it to be made available here
A 10,000-strong petition asking Health New Zealand to extend “game-changing” stem cell treatment to multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is set to be delivered to Parliament. The petition started by Aucklander Joan Perry, whose daughter Anne Besley has MS, calls for autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) to be made available for selected patients in New Zealand. Doctors […]