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- His mum's brain fog lifted. Now he's running 26.2 miles
His mum's brain fog lifted. Now he's running 26.2 miles
Will's mum had HSCT in 2017. What happened next changed how their whole family sees MS.
When the fog lifted
Will's mum had HSCT in 2017. She didn't get her mobility back. But something else happened that nobody expected
You know that moment when someone describes something and you think — wait, that actually happened?
Will's mum was diagnosed with MS. By 2017, after watching the Panorama documentary on HSCT, she decided to pursue treatment.
She didn't regain her mobility. That's the honest bit. But her MS hasn't progressed since. And something else happened that nobody expected.
Her brain fog lifted. Completely.
She could read again. Follow a TV programme. Think clearly. Will watched it happen in real time and described it as "remarkable."
One family. One treatment. One conversation that nearly didn't happen.
Here's what sits with us about Will's story.
His mum found out about HSCT through a documentary. Not through her neurologist. Not through an MS nurse. Through a TV programme.
"Raising awareness for HSCT itself is probably a lot of the mission here. Some NHS doctors may discourage patients from exploring it, and people just need access to the information to make their own decision."
That lines up with what we hear constantly. The 17th HSCT patient treated at King's — said his only regret was not having the information sooner. Brain fog cleared during the procedure itself.
"Pressure makes diamonds."
That was Will's answer when we asked whether running the London Marathon for a charity adds pressure compared to running for fun.
He's deep into training now. Three runs a week on a structured plan. A half marathon under his belt. Long Sunday mornings with podcasts marking the halfway point. He's cut back on alcohol, experimented with questionable carb-loading strategies (a full Domino's pizza — he would not repeat this), and had messages of support from people he hadn't spoken to in years.
But it's the accountability that keeps him moving. Knowing he's running for something bigger than a finisher's medal.
His one-sentence reason for doing it:
"To give other families what HSCT gave his."
What Will's story tells us
If you're reading this and you're still in the research phase — still trying to work out whether HSCT is worth exploring — Will's family were exactly where you are now.
They didn't have all the answers. They had enough information to ask better questions. And that made the difference.
Three things you can do this week:
Write down your top three questions about HSCT. Not everything. Just three. Bring them to your next appointment.
Ask your neurologist directly: "Can we discuss HSCT as a treatment option for my case?" If they dismiss it, ask them to document why in your notes.
Share Will's fundraising page with one person. Not for the money — for the conversation it starts.
Support Will's marathon
Will is running the London Marathon for AIMS. His fundraising page is live and he's already been blown away by the response. If his story resonated, even a small contribution or a share helps more than you'd think.
Every mile Will runs starts another conversation about HSCT.
Every conversation means one more person who knows it exists. That's how this works — one story at a time.
Until next week
- AIMS Team 👊
PS. We are here for you… make sure to join use our Peer Support if you ever need help