Hi, my name is Katie and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12, and am now 30 years old. I was recently diagnosed with stage 4 Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in both of my eyes, as well as macular edema (swelling  inside the eye).  This advanced stage of retinopathy triggers the growth of new blood vessels in the eyes. These new blood vessels leak blood and fluid into the eye and severe vision loss and eventually complete blindness results. To stop the formation of new blood vessels, and to prevent them from leaking further, medicine is injected into the eyes monthly (which helps to slow down the process). These injections are $350 per eye ($700/month), and the medicine used is $2000. I’m not asking for much, but I am asking for help. This condition is ongoing for the rest of my life.