Cara needs to get to the Mayo Clinic - UCH!
Donation protected
Cara stopped producing bone marrow approximately 10 years ago. She has been receiving blood transfusions, iron infusions, and medications to compensate for the lack of bone marrow. However, all treatments have stopped working. Her blood has now developed antibodies which are rejecting and reacting to the blood transfusions, after hundreds of transfusions that have now also caused acute kidney damage. Cara has no ability to fight off infections which makes her extremely high risk for sepsis.
Cara has an autoimmune condition in which her body is attacking her joints, bone marrow, and now multiple organs. She has had her appendix, parotid gland, gall bladder, fallopian tubes, uterus, two portions of her stomach, and a portion of her bowel removed. Both stomach removal surgeries were completed within a 6-month time period, causing Cara to lose 50 lbs leaving her at a current weight of 97 lbs. During one of her many surgeries, Cara became septic resulting in a repeat surgery, one month hospital stay, and 6 months of a intervenes antibiotic regiment through a PICC line inserted through an artery directly into her heart.
As of last week, her body has started to attack her pancreas, liver, and kidneys. Obviously, these organs are needed to keep her alive, and can not be removed to accommodate her disorder. Cara needs to receive a regiment of three separate medications to suppress her immune system, kill the cells that are attacking her body, and help prevent her body from producing these cells again for her to even approach living a normal life. However, the major risk of these medications is bone marrow suppression. Due to Cara’s already depleted bone marrow she is not able to receive these medications as the risk is too high.
Cara’s latest scope shows the remainder of her stomach is beginning to be attacked, and doctors are warning there is a good chance they will have to remove more of her stomach and sever her vagus nerve. All these factors combined equal a much-lessened chance of survival.
This disorder, that has been wreaking havoc on Cara’s body for the last decade, is yet to be diagnosed. Doctors have been reluctant to take life saving measures as they do not know what they are dealing with. Her family doctor has stated that this disorder is approaching terminal in multiple ways if something is not done.
But there is hope. Cara has been approved for consult and pending treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA. However, the cost of this travel and treatment is substantial.
Cara is a single mother to 3 wonderful children, Casey, Carter, and Jackson. Casey was found to be a blood type match (Blood Type A), and therefore can be tested to see if she can provide a bone marrow match for a possible life saving bone marrow transplant. Cara is a Registered Nurse but due to her condition is no longer able to work in a profession she loves and adores.
All donations received will go directly to Cara’s travel to the Mayo clinic, and any tests or procedures the doctors think are necessary to diagnose and treat Cara’s condition. Cara’s bone marrow should be treatable, and the doctors at the Mayo are up to the challenge.
Asking for help is never easy, especially for a person as fiercely independent as Cara. So I will do it for her, to ensure that Jackson, Carter, and Casey get to grow up with their amazing mother. We thank you very much for your time, consideration, and compassion.
Cara has an autoimmune condition in which her body is attacking her joints, bone marrow, and now multiple organs. She has had her appendix, parotid gland, gall bladder, fallopian tubes, uterus, two portions of her stomach, and a portion of her bowel removed. Both stomach removal surgeries were completed within a 6-month time period, causing Cara to lose 50 lbs leaving her at a current weight of 97 lbs. During one of her many surgeries, Cara became septic resulting in a repeat surgery, one month hospital stay, and 6 months of a intervenes antibiotic regiment through a PICC line inserted through an artery directly into her heart.
As of last week, her body has started to attack her pancreas, liver, and kidneys. Obviously, these organs are needed to keep her alive, and can not be removed to accommodate her disorder. Cara needs to receive a regiment of three separate medications to suppress her immune system, kill the cells that are attacking her body, and help prevent her body from producing these cells again for her to even approach living a normal life. However, the major risk of these medications is bone marrow suppression. Due to Cara’s already depleted bone marrow she is not able to receive these medications as the risk is too high.
Cara’s latest scope shows the remainder of her stomach is beginning to be attacked, and doctors are warning there is a good chance they will have to remove more of her stomach and sever her vagus nerve. All these factors combined equal a much-lessened chance of survival.
This disorder, that has been wreaking havoc on Cara’s body for the last decade, is yet to be diagnosed. Doctors have been reluctant to take life saving measures as they do not know what they are dealing with. Her family doctor has stated that this disorder is approaching terminal in multiple ways if something is not done.
But there is hope. Cara has been approved for consult and pending treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA. However, the cost of this travel and treatment is substantial.
Cara is a single mother to 3 wonderful children, Casey, Carter, and Jackson. Casey was found to be a blood type match (Blood Type A), and therefore can be tested to see if she can provide a bone marrow match for a possible life saving bone marrow transplant. Cara is a Registered Nurse but due to her condition is no longer able to work in a profession she loves and adores.
All donations received will go directly to Cara’s travel to the Mayo clinic, and any tests or procedures the doctors think are necessary to diagnose and treat Cara’s condition. Cara’s bone marrow should be treatable, and the doctors at the Mayo are up to the challenge.
Asking for help is never easy, especially for a person as fiercely independent as Cara. So I will do it for her, to ensure that Jackson, Carter, and Casey get to grow up with their amazing mother. We thank you very much for your time, consideration, and compassion.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ginelle Bailey
Organizer
Grande Prairie, AB
Cara Mazurek
Beneficiary
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