Stem cells for Sofi

The name Sofi Tsingos means different things to different people. To some, it is the name of the founder of GT-Moto, a Dallas-based motorcycle fabrication business born from the desire to generate money (over $50,000 to date) for cancer research, veterans with PTSD, and even helped a local moto-mom raise money to help pay for her medical bills after being diagnose with breast cancer. To many, it is the name of their genuine, immensely-thoughtful and fun friend who has experienced many setbacks in her lifetime but still manages to keep a smile on her face through them all. To others, it means sister, daughter, or fiancée.

In 2016, after months of doctors visits and not being able to work in the garage, Sofi was diagnosed with and treated for an autoimmune disease called ulcerative colitis (UC). Due to the nature of the disease, she was unable to absorb any nutrients from the food that she consumed and could not function for more than 10 minutes at a time without feeling the need to pass out, while also dealing with constant excruciating abdominal pain. Any time she has a flare up, this causes her to be laid up in bed for months and takes a couple more month to gain her strength and stamina back. Although she is currently in remission, she still experiences significant relapses in periods of high stress and is required to take medication for the rest of her life, while still being constantly threatened by an increased risk of colon cancer or the eventual need for one of many surgical procedures to remove her colon entirely.

Stem cell transplant therapy has been identified as an effective method of improving the quality of life of people with UC and reducing many of the aforementioned risks. Due to regulations in the US on such treatments, Sofi is forced to explore options outside of the country that are not covered by health insurance. This amounts to an approximate out-of-pocket cost of nearly $30,000.

Though she is always donating thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars for charity, Sofi has never once asked for help with her own mishaps, so we think it is time for us to step up and help her. She will be immensely grateful for every little bit that you are able to provide!