THE family of an Alexandra Hills woman is rallying together to send her to Russia for specialised treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Mary Moore was diagnosed 18 years ago, but her condition has deteriorated extensively over the last five years.
Having moved from Scotland when Ms Moore was three years old, her family are holding a ceilidh on Saturday, July 30.
The dinner dance will include bag pipes, Highland dancing and a three course meal.
It is being held at 6.30pm at the Lions Club hall in Degen Road, Capalaba, courtesy of the Lions Club.
Ms Moore’s condition has impacted her eyesight, speech and mobility and the 46-year-old has stopped responding to any medication.
Her family heard about hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on 60 Minutes and are fundraising for the $60,000 needed.
A mother of three, Ms Moore’s children were aged between two and five when she was diagnosed.
To add to the trauma of her diagnosis, Ms Moore also became a single mother soon after learning of her condition.
Her mother, Jean McArthur said her daughter’s condition had been declining fast over the last five years.
She cannot read, has difficulty talking, needs a wheelchair if they go out and uses a walker in the house.
“It has been very hard watching her decline from the person she was. It is heartbreaking,” Ms McArthur said.
“The kids are working now too, but it has been so hard on them.”
Ms McArthur said she hoped the HSCT would stop the deterioration of the multiple sclerosis and help her eyesight and speech to improve.
Ms McArthur and her sister Isabella Cameron, together with other family members, are fundraising to pay for the treatment in Russia.
They hope Ms Moore will be able to travel to Russia in October.
Ms Cameron makes crocheted goods, including a mermaid tail blanket and family members have held sausage sizzles and raffles.
So far they have raised $15,000.
The cost for the July 30 event is $45 and bookings can be made by phoning Isabella on 0404 466 140 or Jean on 0407 771 035.
Family members have also asked for any donations of items that can be raffled and wool suitable for making crocheted baby goods.
Ms Moore also has a GoFundMe fundraising page at https://www.gofundme.com/8hr33w
