Restoring April's Beautiful Smile

My beautiful,  smart, joyful, and kind sister April is in need of a few guardian angels.  Some of you may know that 10 years ago we nearly lost April to Good Pastures Syndrome.   She was struggling to breath and we rushed her to the ER.  She remained in the hospital in ICU and eventually she was placed into a coma and breathing through a ventalator for several weeks.  The doctors did test after test and lung biopsy after lung biopsy and could not find the reason that her immune system was attacking her lungs.  She was very close to dying  when  they finally figured it out. It was Good Pastures Syndrome and there was a treatment.  She would not only need to be on  immunosuppressive steroids for more than a year to come, if she pulled through, but she needed immediate treatment with plasmapheresis.  This treatment would remove her plasma that was filled with the antibodies killing her lungs and in return she would receive new plasma from donors.  The hospital she was in did not have the equipment needed for this treatment but the other hospital in town did.  She was set to be transfered when the other hospital found out that April did not have medical insurance.  This was a deal breaker for them and they refused to treat her and save her life.  We were  devastated. The hospital was eventually able to find an independent company that agreed to travel to April's bedside everyday with the equipment and new plasma in tow.   April was eventually well enough to be taken off the ventilator and see her children and family.  The treatment worked.  For the next few years April battled to regain her health, her strength, and her life.  Due to the long term steroid treatment she suffered  damage to her teeth.  At the time that was a small sacrifice to make.  Now the long term effects of her treatment have taken a big toll on her.   April has slowing been loosing her teeth for years and it has reached a point where it is really affecting her daily quality of life.  She is unable to eat anything other than soft foods and avoids anything hot or cold touching her remaining teeth.  She is in need of some extensive dental care with extractions and dentures.   April is the kindest person I know.  She helps everyone else in a moments notice.  She is filled with joy and a positive attitude even when struggling with all life has dealt her.  She was blessed with a giving spirit that lights up the room.  It breaks my heart to see her struggle to eat and attempt to hide her smile.  For those who know her you know that April is always smiling.  It's just part of who she is.  She has been struggling this year trying to find employment after the business she worked for closed it's doors.  Though she has many qualifications and went on many interviews, no one wanted to hire her.  She couldn't help but feel that she was being judged by her teeth.  It's hard for most not to judge others based on their appearance and we all know that in job interviews your first impression is everything.   My family wishes desperately that we were able to pay for April's new smile ourselves, but unfortunately we cannot do this alone.  We reach out to all of you angels out there for your help in this campaign for Restoring April's Beautiful Smile.   Many of us donate to charities around the world and don't realize that we can help people we know and love right here at home.  Please give what you can when and as often as you can for April.  Sacrifice a Starbucks Coffee today or maybe a hamburger tomorrow.  Give a little or a lot but please considering giving to a great cause where you can see the difference you make.