BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 19, 2022– On Sunday, January 16, singer Marlyn Vansen shared with the public that she was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis—an incurable and sometimes debilitating disease of the brain and spinal cord in which the body’s immune system attacks its own nerve cells. While there is no cure for MS, adequate treatment can aid in the management of symptoms and slow the disease’s progression, but obtaining the needed medication has been a challenge for Vansen and her family. Not only is it extremely expensive, but it is also currently unavailable in Belize. In order to get medication, the family is seeking assistance in any way possible, including referrals and financial donations.
“For every day that I don’t take the medication, I’m afraid that my situation is just getting worse. So I am reaching out, to anyone, or any organization, that would like to assist in any way possible in getting the proper medication,” said the artist, who is also the mother of a one-year-old girl.
“Sadly, this is something I will probably be fighting for the rest of my life, but with God, your help & family support, I believe that I could fight this and come out on top,” she added.
Vansen’s brother, David, spoke with the media about her experience leading up to the diagnosis and the challenges that she has been facing since. He said that the singer began exhibiting symptoms one day in late November of last year when half of her body suddenly became paralyzed. Although the paralysis only lasted a minute or so, it eventually began occurring repeatedly throughout the day. After that, Marlyn also began suffering from seizures. Several doctor visits and misdiagnoses later, an MRI scan revealed that Vansen was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Since then, Marlyn has continued to experience very painful episodes that repeatedly cause cramping in the muscles of her arms and legs.
The MS journey is a lifelong one, since there is no cure for the disease and the medication to treat the disease costs thousands of dollars per month. But David Vansen also noted that despite the severity of Marlyn’s illness, she—along with her entire family—is trying to remain positive.
“Marlyn’s intention right now is to not only help herself but to help others through information. She wants to spread the word and the awareness about MS for people who may be going through the same thing that she went through, you know, having symptoms and not knowing what’s happening to you. She wants to get the word about that out,” he said.
The artist has also been using her passion for music as a way to cope with her situation and to remain calm in the face of its challenges.
Over 2.3 million people worldwide are currently living with Multiple Sclerosis. Its symptoms can include fatigue, blurry vision, seizures, weakness in the limbs, loss of coordination, paralysis, and many other complications. Anyone who wishes to assist the Vansen family can contact Marlyn’s brother David at +501-614-5123, her mother, Marcella Vansen, at +501-614-3723, or her husband, Ashton Wagner, at +501-614-4232. Donations can be sent to Marlyn’s Heritage Bank account under the name Marlyn Vansen and account number 1213301. The family is also looking for assistance in setting up a GoFundMe account.