Overcoming Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Research
At this time, Dr. Wahls is collecting the pilot data from her clinical trial, which will continue for another 18 months. Seed funds to help collect a small amount of pilot data, like Dr. Wahls’ current study, range from $50,000 to $100,000. A somewhat larger study testing the safety and tolerability of a study will cost $250,000 to $500,000. A clinical trial that is large enough to prove that the intervention is effective often costs a million dollars or more.
Dr. Wahls has just sent a grant proposal for $450,000 to the National MS Society to expand her work and will soon be submitting another grant to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). But traditional funders of research, such as NIH, are less likely to fund the type of work that Dr. Wahls is doing. That is because NIH prefers to support studies that examine just one variable at a time and sometimes won’t fund a study that uses so many interventions simultaneously. As a result, The Wahls Foundation is setting the goal of raising funds independently.
At the end of this calendar year, the first wave of participants will have finished their 12 months in the study. Although many are asking to continue in the study, we unfortunately do not have funds to keep following them. That means we are missing an opportunity to understand how much more improvement they might experience were they able to continue with the interventions for a longer period. Furthermore, having more data from our subjects would make for stronger grant applications to larger entities like the National MS Society and NIH.
Continuing to follow our current subjects beyond 12 months and expanding our trials can only be achieved through the generous contributions of the people and organizations that share the belief and passion that progressive multiple sclerosis can be defeated without relying on toxic drugs. If you share in that commitment and passion, we urge you to give to the Wahls Foundation. You can either make a one-time donation or recurring donation to support Dr. Wahls’ clinical research. Without your support, it is possible that Dr. Wahls’ clinical trials will come to an end in 2013. If that happens, it means the end of hope for improved functioning and possible recovery for those disabled by progressive multiple sclerosis.
Our current study is what is called an open label single arm study. Everyone is receiving the intervention and we are assessing how safe it is and how well people tolerate it. The next step in scientific research is to use a study design that includes randomization and a wait list control, meaning half of the subjects receive the study interventions and half wait for a period (usually 3 to 6 months, depending on where the grant proposal is submitted) before beginning the intervention. To make the strongest case for that next study, the more data we have the better.
Please consider becoming part of the team by supporting this exciting work. Based on your level of giving, you will receive free access to materials that Dr. Wahls has donated to the foundation for the purpose of rewarding generous donors. Gifts will be awarded at the bronze, silver and gold levels of giving.
The Wahls Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization.
In early 2012, we anticipate receiving tax-exempt status and will begin soliciting donations soon after.
