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Hi everyone, my name is Sarah Blair. I live in Australia and am on the Moscow waiting list.

I am wondering about the best way to take/transfer US Dollars to Moscow so that I can transfer the fees to the Pirogov without causing them or me any headaches.

And advice would be appreciated.

I also live in Australia. We have access to Lemtrada (ie Campath) under the PBS (ie Govt Subsidy for others info). If you haven't already, I would certainly look into this option first. They are also doing trials in Australia for HSCT, and are currently recruiting patients. Both these options would be considerably cheaper and would be performed here in Australia.

If you are not considered "optimal" for Lemtrada or the HSCT trials (I think there is actually more than one), then chances are the treatment in Russia will also not result with a fulfillment of your hopes.

I have chosen to take the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation solution.

Simple question: What is the best way to transfer US Dollars to Moscow.

I am intending to use a bank like HKCB but I would like to hear from anyone who has been to Moscow regarding the method they used to transfer the fees to the Pirogov Center.

Sarah Blair

SarahBlair wrote:I have chosen to take the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation solution.

Simple question: What is the best way to transfer US Dollars to Moscow.

I am intending to use a bank like HKCB but I would like to hear from anyone who has been to Moscow regarding the method they used to transfer the fees to the Pirogov Center.

Sarah Blair

No. Never been, or transferred money there.

The thing you might want to know is that in marrow transplants, even when you think you have killed off all the old immune system it can still give you trouble. They use radiation, Campath, and who knows what all. You think immunes are your problem, you want to get rid of them.

Sarah,
That was a bit harsh on old cure...if you want banking advice go ask a banker! Simples, as the Meerkat says.
Why

Sarah, are you are member of the Moscow HSCT facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/404629779644453/). I just did a quick search on their for "money transfer australia" and found a bunch of posts covering this.

whyRwehere wrote:Sarah,
That was a bit harsh on old cure...if you want banking advice go ask a banker! Simples, as the Meerkat says.
Why

I don't want banking advice. Nor would I ask a banker because, like big pharma, they only peddle their own wares.

I simply asked for anyone's experience in transferring Dollars to the Pirogov Center.

Sarah Blair

Hi Sarah,

Without influencing your decision one way or the other, call the department of foreign affairs and trade and ask their opinion of how to do this and whether the institution appears to be a legitimate operator. You are a long way from them so there can be a gap between reality and fact. You want to pay up front so you should check their bona fide reputation.

DFAT will have a file if there is an issue.

Regards

Scott1 wrote:Hi Sarah,

Without influencing your decision one way or the other, call the department of foreign affairs and trade and ask their opinion of how to do this and whether the institution appears to be a legitimate operator. You are a long way from them so there can be a gap between reality and fact. You want to pay up front so you should check their bona fide reputation.

DFAT will have a file if there is an issue.

Regards

Thanks for that. Some very kind advice indeed.

Sarah Blair

WilliamWallace wrote:Sarah, are you are member of the Moscow HSCT facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/404629779644453/). I just did a quick search on their for "money transfer australia" and found a bunch of posts covering this.

I have made several attempts to join another Moscow MS Facebook page with no luck. I will certainly try to join Russia HSCT for MS & Autoimmune Diseases.

Thank you so much for your suggestion.

Sarah Blair