By Esther Lauaki
Kyllie Garrett and her mates are going full ocker in their fight against multiple sclerosis.
The mum of two was diagnosed with the neurological disease in 2012 and has since raised more than $15,000 towards medical research.
She will host a Bogan Bingo fundraising party at Tabcorp Park on Saturday, December 8 – but this time, the money will help her get to Russia to participate in a potentially life-changing clinical trial.
It will cost about $120,000 to cover the treatment and expenses for the 35-day trial.
Ms Garrett, who plays football for Melton Centrals and lives in Ballarat, was doing all the right things to live a healthy lifestyle when she copped the “sickening diagnosis” of MS.
“I was in the fittest point in my life at the age of 29,” Ms Garrett said.
“I had just hit my goal weight after losing more than 50 kilograms when I collapsed in the shower.
“Initially, I had dizziness, confusion, fatigue, constant migraines and disorientation … it progressed until I was unable to drive or work and my health rapidly deteriorated.”
She manages numbness, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, vertigo, nerve pain and a range of co-ordination issues daily.
Since her diagnosis, Ms Garrett has been trialing a range of treatments, but her health continues to decline.
“I’m scared about this treatment [in Russia], but it is clear that it is the best chance I have of being able to live my life normally again with my family,” she said.
“Being the only income earner for the household, any additional funds would be used to cover my time off work so that I can recover.
“My kids are so young … it would be nice to know that finding a cure for MS would mean I don’t have to explain to them why mummy can’t do certain things with them.”
The Bogan Bingo night will start at 7.15pm on December 8 at Tabcorp Park. Tickets cost $35 through trybooking.com/yxzu.
