JoAnne's Medical Fund

My name is JoAnne Savage and I am a 25-year-old pharmacy resident who loves to make other people smile. I live with my mom and have two sisters and eight nieces and nephews that mean the world to me. My father passed away in 2010 due to cancer, but his love and encouragement have allowed me to strive for my dreams. I graduated in May of 2016 with my doctorate in pharmacy from the UTEP/UT Cooperative Pharmacy Program and have since been the PGY1 Resident for the Community Pharmacy Resident at UTEP and Centro De Salud Familiar La Fe, Inc. Through my residency I hope to further enhance my clinical and administrative skills to better serve my patients. However, my residency training came to a screeching halt as I became ill and was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO).

NMO is a rare disease that affects the brain and nervous system. Everyone with NMO is affected differently, however, there is a high likelihood of paralysis and blindness to occur over time. Thus far, I have experienced vision changes and weakness in my left leg and arm, but I am very blessed to have been diagnosed before I experienced more serious complications. My current symptoms have kept me from being able to continue my work as a pharmacy resident and until my symptoms are further stabilized; I am unable to go back to work and helping the people in my community.

I have been receiving care in my hometown of El Paso, TX, which has included a hospitalization, and infusions of rituximab, a drug also used for chemotherapy. Despite these treatments, my symptoms have not improved and so I will be traveling to Rochester, Minnesota to see the NMO specialists at the Mayo Clinic. It is my hope that with the care I receive at the Mayo Clinic, I will be able to return to doing what I love most: caring for my loved ones and serving others.

It is urgent that I receive immediate care by experts who can treat my NMO.  My time away from my residency, as well as the medical and travel costs to receive the care I need, has been a significant financial stress for me and my family.  My family and I would sincerely appreciate your donations to make my May 1st trip to the Mayo Clinic possible.