The treatment Irene needs is not available in Australia and she has to go to Russia, but it is not cheap as the procedure costs $60,000.

She will go to Moscow in September for stem cell treatment with Dr Ivan Fedorenko, who has treated almost 300 MS sufferers in the past 10 years with good results.

Irene was diagnosed with MS in 2005 after giving birth to her daughter Tanisha.

Since then, while she and her husband Wayne have had two other children, Tegan and Dylan, Irene’s health has declined.

She now requires help to walk, her memory is failing and she is in constant pain with chronic fatigue.

Earlier this year, Irene and Wayne were watching Channel 9’s 60 Minutes when they saw a story about a Queensland nurse with MS, Kirsty Cruise (BDN 30/5).

Ms Cruise underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) at the clinic of Dr Fedorenko.

Ms Cruise said her cognition had returned fully and she no longer required a mobility device.

“It was a like looking in a mirror, from the age Kristy was diagnosed, her symptoms, to her family, to the desperation she felt because other treatments weren’t working,” Wayne said.

“On one hand it was hard to watch, on the other it was like a door opening.”

The treatment is costly, but Wayne said he was ready to re-mortgage their home to get Irene there.

The fundraiser for Irene will be on Saturday night at The Grand, with live music from 8pm.

Three local bands will be playing on the night, and local businesses have donated to the raffles, which will be drawn on the night.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

You can also donate to Irene’s cause by visiting her fundraising page, www.gofundme.com/8hczaw.