Erin McCombie Brown

Hi my name is Lorna Rice and I am raising funds for my friends daughter Erin McCombie Brown! Erin was riding her bicycle with her son and fell off her bike! She was in a lot of pain and ended up going to the hospital to discover that she had a quick moving infection! The infection in Erin’s right leg was caused by Group A streptococcus and led to what is known as necrotizing fasciitis. This type of infection destroys tissue in a very short period of time and is life threatening. Because the infection had spread up her leg so quickly, Erin had a very high amputation, known as a hip disarticulation. The amputation of her leg was the only way to save her life as she was septic.

Hip disarticulation amputations make it very difficult to use a traditional prosthetic as there is very little residual limb for a prosthetic socket to grip onto. Erin has never lost hope and has had MANY sockets created in the past year. To say that she has put in literal blood, sweat and tears doesn’t do justice to what she has endured. But despite her incredible hard work and tenacity with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and the assistance of her prosthetists, this method is just not working.

Erin is an excellent candidate for what is known as an osseointegration. This procedure will create a direct connection between her femur bone and her prosthetic, using a metal implant. Removing the need for an ill fitting socket will significantly increase Erin’s quality of life, comfort, mobility, and assist in getting her back to activities that she loves!

Unfortunately, Erin is not a candidate for this procedure in Canada. Her hope is to travel to Australia to have this life changing procedure performed. However, due to the nature of how Erin lost her leg, there is very little financial assistance available to her. All costs will be out of pocket. Her operation will cost $110,000 - a leg is around $92,000 and a foot around $40,000!!! Unbelievable!!

We are asking for help to assist this amazing young woman in regaining her mobility!