Star columnist’s TV appearance
Wednesday 4th November 2009, 9:00AM GMT.
Shropshire Star columnist Emma Suddaby has told a TV audience why she has contemplated selling her house in a desperate bid to raise £75,000 for life-saving medical treatment.
The 36-year-old, from Ford near Shrewsbury, revealed her heartbreaking story on the BBC’s Inside Out programme this week.
Emma was diagnosed with aggressive rheumatoid arthritis 14 years ago. The disease, which attacks the immune system, has left her with artificial knees, hips and elbows.
Now she has been told she has developed another condition, called vasculitis, which could kill her within five years if it remains untreated — and she believes a stem cell transplant could be possibly her best hope of a cure.
The only problem is that she would probably have to fly to the United States, and pay an estimated £75,000 for the treatment herself.
Emma, a former finalist in the Shropshire Star’s Star Woman Of The Year competition, said she had considered selling her house to jet across the Atlantic, but was currently investigating whether stem cell replacement held any hope for her.
The “film is a record of what it’s like to live with rheumatoid arthritis,” Emma said. “It follows my quest for a definitive answer on whether stem cell therapy could save my life.”
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
A stem cell transplant is a last resort. Ask about rituximab that has been remarkably effective in many vasculitis patients.
Dr. David Jayne at Cambridge is only one of the consultants to the Vasculitis Foundation. Your physicians can consult at no cost with any of the consultants listed at http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/node/44
Good luck with finding effective treatment.
Report abuse
What a dreadful situation, but please don’t forget to look at European countries as well because if they can treat this using the stem cell method, then under EU agreement, the NHS should fund the operation as/if it’s not available within the UK. Good luck.
Report abuse
Come on Shropshire we’re a genereous lot lets get Emma a fighting fund. I will pledge £20 :)
Report abuse
I’ve just watched brave Emma’s fight on Inside Out against her horrific auto immune disease’s. In short I can help , my interest is the aetiology of autism but I find many modern diseases are linked with the condition ..Emma’s recently diagnosed vasculitis,is also explainable. Pease ask Emma to get in touch .I’m selling nothing. I do believe I can suggest a treatment that will at least halt the conditions and has a good chance of healing some of the damage already done. My conclusions are have been put before the Medical research council by my MP Julie Kirkbride I’m awaiting a reply
Report abuse
Emma I’ve heard India or China are possible alternatives to the USA and would be much cheaper. May the force be with you. Peter
PS: France also needs checking.
Report abuse
I remember many moons ago doing an Aromatherapy course with Emma. Her courage and determination was evident even then. Good luck Emma, I wish I could help you, but all I have to offer is my thoughts and warm wishes. Sarah
Report abuse
i had vasculitus whilst awaiting my heart/double lung transplant 3 yrs ago. its a horrid horrid disease and i hope you are able toget it sorted. my case dissapered not long after the transplant. i was told it was a way of your body shutting down but i dont know if this is true or not i am unsure. dr kelly at shrewsbury hospital treated my case up untill the transplant and she did a wonderful job a did the district nurses who had to visit me. all the best emma. ben hughes. xx
Report abuse
I would give to a fund set up for her treatment.
Report abuse
Thinking of you Emma.
Wish I could watch the video from here but it’s not available “out of area”.
Love
Lorien
Report abuse