Since 2011, she has battled Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

And now she needs help for a treatment that could halt or reverse the disease.

Melissa hopes to undergo Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Russia in May. But in order to do so, she needs to raise $60,000.

“Some people do really well with MS but others don’t. I’ve been struggling and I’ve been progressing downhill. That’s why I’m seeking this treatment,” she said.

HSCT involves taking stem cells from a person’s bone marrow before giving the person several different kinds of chemotherapy to kill the cells which cause MS.

The stem cells are then re transplanted into the person before they go into isolation for a few days to recover.

“You’re very susceptible to infection, so that’s why it’s risky,” Melissa said.

“This isn’t a miracle treatment but it’s the best that is available.”

Facial numbness, leg weakness and vertigo are symptoms that Melissa faces most days.

While many doctors do not encourage this procedure due to the risks, she said after three different treatments that had done little for her, it was time to try something different.

“A lot pf people get reversal of the disease but for some people it just halts the progression. If it could do that I’d be happy.

“There’s people in far worse situations than what I am so I’m just grateful that I can still talk.”

HSCT is currently available in Australia but only for cancer patients. Melissa said trials were being held in Sydney but were difficult to get into.

The first symptom Melissa had was dropping things. One of her arms “became dead”.

“I couldn’t even open or close my hand. My foot and leg became the same as my arm. I was limping pretty bad and I had a few falls.”

When she was first diagnosed, her daughter Ruya was just one.

Now aged seven, Melissa said she was one of the key reasons she wanted to have the treatment.

“Honestly, I just want to be there for my daughter.

“I don’t know where I’m going to be next year or in year years and I don’t really want her to be burdened and I don’t want my family to be burdened.”

But if she is unable to raise the money, Melissa will most likely have to postpone the procedure.

There are several other sites across the world where she can have the procedure done but Russia was the first place she could secure a spot.

“I have to tell myself every day when I wake up in the morning don’t be afraid of the future and don’t let it get the better of you. Just take it moment by moment because it’s all you can do.”

Melissa has created a GoFundMe page in the hopes the Highlands community can help her get to Russia.

Visit https://www.gofundme.com/2jk4jnfw to make a donation.