Brisbane man flies to Russia for stem cell therapy in attempt to cure the MS-like disease CIDP

A Brisbane man has flown to Russia in a desperate attempt to cure a disease that is destroying his nervous system because the treatment is not available in Australia.

Di Hardingham and her son Mark at Brisbane airport before leaving for Moscow where Mark will have stem cell therapy in an attempt to cure his chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

A Fitzgibbon man has flown to Russia in a desperate attempt to cure a disease that is destroying his nervous system.

Mark Hardingham, 27, will undergo a $75,000 stem cell treatment he hopes will stop the chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) that has been robbing him of feeling and strength.

CIDP is a neurological disorder where the body attacks its own myelin (the outer casing of nerves).

In the five months since he was diagnosed Mark has been forced to stop work as a bottle shop manager and can no longer drive.

His mum Dianne, from Albany Creek, has accompanied him to Moscow where he will spend 30 days in the A.A Maximov Hospital.

Mark’s partner Emma will stay home with their two-year-old son Ollie.

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Mrs Hardingham said what normally took five years to become this bad has taken five months in her son.

“He can no longer drive or work and has a two year old that he can no longer look after,” she said.

“After much research and treatments offered here in Australia not working, he has decided to go to Moscow where this treatment is done and is having great success.

“In 90 per cent of patients it halts the disease. It’s commonly used to treat multiple sclerosis.

“ … we were wanting to make people aware of this as its not offered here and so many people would benefit from it.”

Mr Hardingham will undergo HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplant) which involves taking stem cells from his body, undergoing high dose chemotherapy to destroy his faulty immune system, and reinfusion of his stem cells.

There will be an eight-day period of isolation in hospital after that to minimise the risk of infection.

Mark Hardingham, his partner Emma Newby and their son Ollie.

Even when he comes home Mr Hardingham will have to avoid places where he might catch an infection (such as colds and flus) for months while his immune system is compromised.

Had been scheduled for October but the disease was progressing so rapidly the procedure was brought forward.

“All they can do is slow it down … and buy me more time before it takes over,” he said.

“We’ve just go to hope something new comes along between now and then.

“It was pretty much a case of ‘I’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose.

“There’s been a lot of success, not only for people being treated for what I’ve got, but also for people with MS.”

Mr Hardingham said he had spoken to many people in many countries who have undergone the treatment and was confident, that it would work.

“Because I’m getting it early I going to have a higher chance,” he said.

“Without any permanent damage being done over time the nerves can repair themselves.

“I’ve got to be confident about it otherwise there’s no point doing it is there.

I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Stem Cells Australia (SCA), set up in 2011 through the support of the Australian Government, said there were only limited proven treatments available in Australia involving stem cells.

They are corneal and skin grafting, and blood stem cell transplants for the treatment of some blood, inherited immune and metabolic disorders, cancer and auto-immune diseases.

SCA said there were many other potential treatments, but these were still in the research phase or in clinical trials, and were yet to be proven safe and effective

It said untested therapies may therefore pose great health risks for the patients and were offered outside accepted medical practice.

An online appeal has been set up to help. See gofundme.com/mention-it-4-mark