Just as professional athletes experience anxiety and exhilaration at the start of a big game, Robin Bates is feeling excited and nervous as his medical journey goals are in sight.

"I’m so excited about the possibilities and what can happen," Bates, of Hayden, said Thursday. "But it isn't a done deal until you’re on the operating table getting the procedure."

Bates has grappled with multiple sclerosis, a disabling disease that affects the nervous system, for more than 23 years and has been confined to a wheelchair for 13 of those years. He is at a point where his condition has deteriorated so much that, soon, his only options will be to lose his independence and be placed in assisted living or to travel abroad to undergo a stem cell transplant operation.

Hope is alive for Bates, who is scheduled to undergo the stem cell surgery May 1 in Puebla, Mexico. If everything goes according to plan, he could say goodbye to MS and might even be able to walk again.

"I'm really nervous," he said. "I can't even think about what will happen if I don't make it, as far as raising the money."

Bates is working to raise $64,000 to cover the costs of the operation, airfare, travel and accommodations, as well as the expense of a full-time caregiver once he arrives in Mexico as his longtime wife and caregiver, Paula Bates, won't be able to stay with him during the process.

Robin Bates has raised just over $39,100. To boost awareness and help him in this last stretch, a young abstract artist is holding a drawing for her original artwork. Those who donate $25 to Bates' GoFundMe campaign will be placed in a drawing for a print, and those who donate $100 or more will be entered to win the original, which is framed and valued at $750.

The artist is Teagan Roehrig, 11, who is the daughter of one of Bates' dearest friends, Gillian Roehrig. Bates and Gillian Roehrig are both originally from South Africa and made fast friends when they arrived stateside.

"He was one of my first friends that I made 25 years ago," Roehrig said.

In a video posted to social media, Roehrig, of San Diego, shares her daughter's motivation to help Bates through her art.

"Teagan took it upon herself to really make a difference for him," Roehrig said.

Teagan posted to social media a picture of the painting, which is a colorful rendering of an African woman's face with flowers on her head. Bates saw it and offered to buy the painting to fundraise with, but Teagan, who sells her paintings for up to $500, had another idea.

“She turned to me and she said, 'No, Mom, he can have it, and I want to help him fundraise,'" Roehrig said.

"The reason I’m doing this is because I want to make a difference in this world and help people,” Teagan said.

Bates said the video is priceless, "such a genuine shout out to help me."

"The outpouring of support, kindness and generosity is so humbling," he said.

The last day to be entered into the drawing for the painting or prints is March 31.

Bates said a big fundraising event is planned for early April, but the exact time and date have not yet been set.

Visit https://bit.ly/3ZEkVLG to donate and enter the drawing and for details about Bates' MS journey.