Alyssa's Medication Fund
Donation protected
Alyssa is a 19 year old girl who is living with
Crohn's Disease. She loves to knit, read and she watches her favourite shows, Duck Dynasty and Doctor Who, to pass the days. She
longs to get back to going for hikes, riding a bike and going for a
daily walk.
Crohn's Disease is an autoimmune disease. It attacks the digestive system with ulcers and scarring, causing digestive disruptions, bleeding, blockages, anemia, severe pain, organ failure and even death. It is a serious, unpredictable and life changing disease. There is currently no cure for Crohn's disease, and there is no one treatment that works for everyone.
Alyssa first showed signs of illness in August 2006 but didn't get a diagnosis until December 2012. She has been through many tests and a variety of treatments including eight different medications from steriods and antibiotics to immune suppressants, with very little change to her health. These medications have cost well into the thousands of dollars. Alyssa had to take a medical leave from university in December 2012 and is still currently on leave while they try to get this disease into remission. She has developed rheumatoid arthritis as well, another disease that often goes along with Crohn's disease. It has greatly impacted her mobility and her family has added an accessible ramp to the house so that she can have independence like a typical 19 year old.
Alyssa is now fighting off a c-diff infection, something that many Crohn's patients deal with at some point. This means all Crohn's treatments are on hold while she fights off the c-diff. It also means more expensive medications and probiotics to offset the negative effects that antibiotics have on Crohn's disease.
Since Alyssa has not responded to the other medications, her best chance at getting into remission is through an immunosuppressant like Remicade. Unfortunately, remicade is an extremely expensive medication and Alyssa does not have any coverage for medications. Her family has attempted to get funding through government programs, without success, and she is currently waiting to find out if she is approved for disability benefits...a process that is often denied on the first attempt and could take months to even get an answer.
The cost of medication for Crohn's varies greatly depending on how often treatments are required for each individual, the age/weight of the person getting treatment, and how many underlying issues like c-diff and anemia that also require treatment. A realistic guess for one year of treatment that includes immunosuppressants is $48,000. Alyssa will have Crohn's for the rest of her life and will need treatment forever, so there is no need to stop at one year of treatment, but it's a great starting point.
It would be amazing to get Alyssa the treatments she needs so that she can live the life that she deserves. She would like to return to school and think about her future. She should be able to go out with friends, go on dates and plan her future. Your donation could help make that happen for her.
Edited to add...
I have been asked what my relation to Alyssa is and if the money is going right to her or to me.
My relationship to Alyssa's family is explained here: http://kidsumers.ca/2013/11/join-the-community-of-people-who-support-alyssa/
None of the donations come to me. They are all going directly to Alyssa's mother who is handling all of Alyssa's expenses. They live in the same home.
Please feel free to ask me any other questions.
Crohn's Disease is an autoimmune disease. It attacks the digestive system with ulcers and scarring, causing digestive disruptions, bleeding, blockages, anemia, severe pain, organ failure and even death. It is a serious, unpredictable and life changing disease. There is currently no cure for Crohn's disease, and there is no one treatment that works for everyone.
Alyssa first showed signs of illness in August 2006 but didn't get a diagnosis until December 2012. She has been through many tests and a variety of treatments including eight different medications from steriods and antibiotics to immune suppressants, with very little change to her health. These medications have cost well into the thousands of dollars. Alyssa had to take a medical leave from university in December 2012 and is still currently on leave while they try to get this disease into remission. She has developed rheumatoid arthritis as well, another disease that often goes along with Crohn's disease. It has greatly impacted her mobility and her family has added an accessible ramp to the house so that she can have independence like a typical 19 year old.
Alyssa is now fighting off a c-diff infection, something that many Crohn's patients deal with at some point. This means all Crohn's treatments are on hold while she fights off the c-diff. It also means more expensive medications and probiotics to offset the negative effects that antibiotics have on Crohn's disease.
Since Alyssa has not responded to the other medications, her best chance at getting into remission is through an immunosuppressant like Remicade. Unfortunately, remicade is an extremely expensive medication and Alyssa does not have any coverage for medications. Her family has attempted to get funding through government programs, without success, and she is currently waiting to find out if she is approved for disability benefits...a process that is often denied on the first attempt and could take months to even get an answer.
The cost of medication for Crohn's varies greatly depending on how often treatments are required for each individual, the age/weight of the person getting treatment, and how many underlying issues like c-diff and anemia that also require treatment. A realistic guess for one year of treatment that includes immunosuppressants is $48,000. Alyssa will have Crohn's for the rest of her life and will need treatment forever, so there is no need to stop at one year of treatment, but it's a great starting point.
It would be amazing to get Alyssa the treatments she needs so that she can live the life that she deserves. She would like to return to school and think about her future. She should be able to go out with friends, go on dates and plan her future. Your donation could help make that happen for her.
Edited to add...
I have been asked what my relation to Alyssa is and if the money is going right to her or to me.
My relationship to Alyssa's family is explained here: http://kidsumers.ca/2013/11/join-the-community-of-people-who-support-alyssa/
None of the donations come to me. They are all going directly to Alyssa's mother who is handling all of Alyssa's expenses. They live in the same home.
Please feel free to ask me any other questions.
Organizer
Sheri McDonald
Organizer
St Marys, ON
