Jolinda Creery of Port Angeles has been raising money to pay for a stem cell transplant for multiple sclerosis. This Sunday, she will hold a game of bingo at the Port Angeles Senior Community Center, 328 E. Seventh St., from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Multiple business pitched in by donating prizes, up to a $60 value. (Jolinda Creery)

Jolinda Creery of Port Angeles has been raising money to pay for a stem cell transplant for multiple sclerosis. This Sunday, she will hold a game of bingo at the Port Angeles Senior Community Center, 328 E. Seventh St., from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Multiple business pitched in by donating prizes, up to a $60 value. (Jolinda Creery)

Bingo fundraises for Port Angeles woman’s stem cell therapy

PORT ANGELES — One spaghetti feed, garage sale, GoFundMe page and donation account later, a Port Angeles woman sits less than $5,000 away from undergoing stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis.

And “Bingo!” — Jolinda Creery could reach her fundraising goal of $18,000.

So far, individuals and businesses in Port Angeles have donated more than $13,000 to Creery, who found out she was approved for an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant in March.

“It’s amazing,” Creery said. “I’ve lived in different places and towns, and I’ve never seen the community support I’ve received in Port Angeles.”

On Sunday, the support continues.

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Creery will host an all-ages afternoon of bingo and snacks at the Port Angeles Senior & Community Center, 328 E. Seventh St. Bingo cards cost $5, and snacks and refreshments are available with a $3 suggested donation. All proceeds go to transplant and transportation costs.

“I really think something good is going to happen,” Creery said of the upcoming fundraiser.

Donations also can be sent to the GoFundMe page “Jolinda’s Stem Cell Therapy Journey” or any First Federal bank location under the account “Jolinda M. Creery Donations.”

She’s also planning another fundraiser Dec. 3: a showing of “It’s A Wonderful Life” at the senior center.

Creery, now 45 years old, has lived with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis since the age of 25. However, in the past eight years of the disease’s progression, Creery’s mobility has declined from walking with one cane to two canes, from two canes and occasional wheelchair use to using a scooter all the time, she said.

“I went from dancing and wearing those cute high-heel boots to using a scooter,” Creery said.

But she remains hopeful of regaining some mobility. StemGenex Medical Group, a stem cell clinic in La Jolla, Calif., approved Creery for an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant eight months ago.

StemGenex gave Creery 10 weeks to raise the money. She’s asked to extend the deadline three times for a lack of funds.

There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, stem cell therapy might slow the progression of the disease and limit its symptoms by inhibiting immune attacks against the central nervous system and stimulating regeneration of damaged tissue in the body, according to StemGenex.

The autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant will replace some of Creery’s stem cells with others found in her fat tissue.

“They will take my own stem cells out, clean them and put them back in my body,” Creery explained.

The procedure itself takes six hours, but three days at the clinic also includes pre- and post- consultations.

Donations will pay for Creery’s procedure and travel costs between San Diego and Port Angeles, where her two sons, Ian, 12, and Alex, 8, will remain.

“I’m hoping and praying for a miracle that I will be able to walk again,” Creery said. “[My sons] are hoping I come back walking, too.”

Creery’s also hoping to resume her passion for piano, which had to be put on hold when arthritis in her hands posed too great a challenge for the lifetime pianist.

“Piano has been my life all my life,” she said.

A piano instructor for 20 years, Creery taught people from 5 to 76 years old, from the elementary to intermediate levels. She stopped teaching about five years ago due to the disease’s progression.

“I hope to one day be able to walk, play piano and run with my kids again,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page.

For more information about upcoming fundraisers, contact Creery at 360-912-1684 or jolinda piano@yahoo.com.

________

Reporter Sarah Sharp can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at ssharp@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Port Townsend to test sewer system with smoke, dye

The city of Port Townsend will test its sewer… Continue reading

JUMP! Playground to close for renovations

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation will close the JUMP! Playground… Continue reading

Barcy Fisher, left, and Patti Buckland have been selected as the 2024 Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year.
Fisher, Buckland honored as Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Barcy Fisher and Patty Buckland were named Marrowstone Island’s 2024… Continue reading

About 700 people from Jefferson and Clallam counties spill out from the steps of the Jefferson County Courthouse onto Jefferson Street in Port Townsend on Monday to take part in a National Day of Protest organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.” (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Hundreds protest actions of Trump administration

Activists cite USAID, worry about Treasury, impacts of immigration

Peninsula to welcome Canadian visitors

Celebration of Coho passengers planned

Fish barrier removal to impact highway traffic

Portions of roadway to have long-term closures

Cheryl Gertsch of Sequim, left, talks with Krista Meyers, project manager with Cascadia Solar of Port Townsend during the annual Home Building, Remodeling and Energy Expo on Saturday at Sequim Middle School. The event, hosted by the North Peninsula Building Association, featured a variety of booths, displays and presentations dedicated to home construction, repair and improvement. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Building expo

Cheryl Gertsch of Sequim, left, talks with Krista Meyers, project manager with… Continue reading

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass on display on the pier in Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
The golden hour

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass… Continue reading

The state is looking to turn Miller Peninsula, a 2,800-acre undeveloped park east of Sequim, into a destination state park with a visitors center, cabins, picnic areas and more. Some locals oppose the move. (Warren Wilson)
Opponents want park to stay day use

State updates plan for Miller Peninsula

Sequim staff plan to send a proposal to the state this month to potentially fund sewer and water lift stations on West Sequim Bay Road using new developments’ property taxes through a Tax Increment Area by Sequim Bay in a 363-acre area. It would require the city to prove that developments in the area wouldn’t happen without the stations. The city council also would have to approve it. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim exploring funding mechanism to incentivize development

City would create district, repurpose tax dollars for lift stations

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann O’Neill, an employee of Angel Crest Gardens of Port Angeles at a temporary stand at First and Race streets in Port Angeles on Valentine’s Day. Rix said he wanted roses for his wife, Wendy Rix, for their 55th wedding anniversary. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s roses

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann… Continue reading

Port Angeles-owned Lancashire Heeler “Ki” poses with handler and co-owner Chelsy Pendleton of Utah with their ribbon. Ki placed as Best of Opposite Sex at the 149th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
PA dog places at famous show

Lancashire Heeler wins ribbon at Westminster