Hello friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters,

My name is Susan, and I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart to ask for support for my beautiful 21 year Granddaughter , Emma Banchiere. Emma from an early age was an athlete. You name the sport, she tried it. There truly wasn’t a sport that she wasn’t good at, or one that she didn’t love.

At the age of 12, Emma developed cellulitis on her face for the first time. She would go on to be hospitalized at CHOC hospital several times over the next few years. Doctors could not understand why this was happening to her. They tested her for every autoimmune disease or cancer they could think of. Still no answers. At the age of 17 Emma twisted her ankle while getting out of bed and was forced to wear a boot for 2 months. During this time the pain only seemed to get worse and not better. Shortly after this, Emma was hospitalized for a severe case of cellulitis on her leg. During this 3 month battle of being in and out of the hospital on the heaviest doses of antibiotics, the worse possible thing happened. The skin infection ate through part of her nerves in her leg and caused her to loose much of her mobility to walk in her right leg. Shortly after, Emma’s life changed with a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a debilitating chronic pain condition often called the "suicide disease" due to its severity. According to the McGill University PAIN Scale CRPS ranks 47 out of 50 for the most pain a person can experience in life. This scale ranges from 0 (no pain) to 50 (maximum pain). CRPS is considered more painful than childbirth, or the amputation of a limb! Over the next year and a half, my granddaughter would go on to use a walker and sometimes a cane, if the pain wasn't too horrible to get around. Driving became a chore and leaving the house some days was just out of the question. This physical struggle is compounded by severe depression and anxiety, a natural consequence of living with such life-altering, persistent pain and the loss of her independence. The pain is relentless and continues to progress to the point where she is largely sedentary, unable to engage in the activities she once loved or even perform basic daily tasks.

For the past few years, Emma has been battling a perfect storm of medical crises that have completely derailed her life and left her in a state of constant pain and isolation. In recent months, she has dealt with 2 double kidney infections, random bacteria in the body, and excruciating pain that no one should have to endure. These infections continue to cause inflammation in the body, which is horrible for patients with CRPS. The situation recently became critical when Emma developed sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection. While she is currently receiving treatment, the recovery process is long and has further weakened her body. The treatment in the United States for CRPS centers around pain management with the use of medication and not healing the problem. We don't want her to be dependent on this medication. Emma’s family has found a treatment in Italy she desperately needs. It is not covered by insurance, and her family has exhausted their finances on the vast array of specialty doctors that insurance would not cover. The treatment in Italy has proven to help countless people suffering from CRPS. Emma needs your support to help with the $35,000 cost for the treatment in Italy. Please help Emma have a chance to lead a life without constant pain and medications, as well as hospital stays. She deserves a life where she can fully work and lead a normal social life.

Emma is an independent, outgoing, caring, smart and loving individual, who deserves a chance to regain some quality of life and hope for the future. Every donation, no matter the amount, brings her one step closer to managing her pain and finding a path forward.

If you are unable to donate at this time, please SHARE Emma's story within your networks. The more people that see this, the better! Spreading the word is incredibly valuable and makes a huge difference. Not only for my granddaughter, but to just spread the word about CRPS. Sadly, many medical professionals do not have much experience with CRPS or how to best advocate for their patients. Please help share the awareness of this debilitating disease!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your time, compassion, and support.

With love and gratitude,

Emma’s Family