This is a campaign to help Elizabeth Fulford (Deeb) with her medical expenses, both from this year's 3 hospital stays and from many previous years. Each time she's in the hospital, countless people have asked what they can do to help. So, since we have yet to figure out how to fix her system or stop her pain, we can try to give the family some financial relief. (The goal of $5000, while no small amount, is actually far less than what she owes in medical bills.)

She's currently (10 June) in UVA-Charlottesville, about 90 minutes from home, enduring her 3rd hospital stay of 2016. This will be her 18th time in the hospital in 6 years (not counting ER visits) and almost every time, Elizabeth had to stay more than a week.

Her 2nd stint in the hospital this year was due to severe dehydration, infection, and an intestinal blockage. She had kidney damage and double pneumonia, and ultimately had abdominal surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst and address the blockage.

Every time, she dearly misses her husband Tyler and their 6-year-old son Wesley. Every time, Tyler and Wesley manage to carry on work and school -- with help from the grandparents -- and remain sane, kind, and adorable. As her sister, I can say that Elizabeth is one of the funniest and least selfish people I know. Indeed, I do not hear her or Tyler complain endlessly about the situation (in fact, she's hesitant to complain at all). 





Throughout all of these hospital stays, and in healthier times, and during all the years of illness and hospitalization before 2010 (during graduate and undergraduate schools), and while working - Elizabeth has been upbeat, kind, funny, humble, caring. She's a fantastic friend/mother/sister/daughter/wife/co-worker/teacher.

When she missed weeks of school for illness, she managed to make up her schoolwork and graduate on time. I hardly heard a complaint.

When she went to work with her chronic, constant pain only slightly alleviated, she was just happy to be a Speech Therapist for kids, a job she loves.

Elizabeth, Tyler, and Wesley are a wonderful family. Funny, caring, and kind. And with awesome Halloween costumes (know that in the photo, she's in quite a lot of pain but trying to enjoy the day).


Elizabeth has been sick more days than not, as least in the past 6 years. She has an autoimmune disease (Crohn's) and a constellation of related problems. Around 5 years ago, she had to have her colon removed, and then replaced with an internal pouch.

Multiple surgeries -- while her GI system continued to attack itself -- left her with scars and adhesions internally. Between the adhesions and a dysfunctional GI tract, Elizabeth spends most of her time in pain.

My hope, as Elizabeth's sister, for this campaign is to offer a way for us to help the family. We can't fix her, but we can take away some of the financial stress of: the endless trips to hospitals in Charlottesville, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland; travel to doctors visits; travel for Wes and Tyler to see Elizabeth; ER visits; medical tests; and especially not being able to work!

Many of their friends and family have been able to help the Fulfords with food, child care, pet care, errands, and so very many gift cards. Please, continue to be the awesome community that you are!

But if you wish you could do more than send well wishes and prayers, consider donating to this fund.