Fighting for Faith
Donation protected
Hello my name is Catherine Fink Eubank, I am a friend of Faith Akens and her family. I am hoping to raise money to help the Akens get more treatments for their daughter Faith. Her dad Jerry is having to take off work and no income will be brought in during his leave. He will be taking Faith to Tennessee along with his wife Sarah, who is also a stay at home mom. Here is Faith's story told by her mother:
Our daughter Faith was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma (a rare brain tumor) on January 31, 2010, she was six years old. Since then she has had two brain surgeries, radiation, and MRIs of her brain multiple times a year. As a result of this tumor and the surgery required to extract it her pituitary gland shut down, meaning that none of her hormones operate on their own. For the rest of her life, she must take medications to make her body function. Another result is hypothalamus obesity, which means that the tumor effected her hypothalamus and now her body gains weight for no reason. Excessive weight. Diet and exercise don't help.
However, we have received some exciting news! There is a special test/research that's being done ONLY on kids that have had craniopharyngioma (the type of brain tumor Faith had) and suffer from hypothalamic obesity. A medicine that is used for diabetics is being tested on children with Faith's exact condition. This has shown to be effective in helping suppress appetite and has resulted in significant weight loss. This is a safe FDA approved medication, but only for adults with diabetes. It's being researched because it hasn't been approved for children or for this medical condition. Once the results are approved for the kids like Faith this treatment will be expanded to help kids with other conditions that have similar symptoms. These kinds of tests/research can change the lives of kids forever. The chance to run and play without hurting, even just the chance to find clothes that fit (believe it or not is a huge deal for these kids).
Faith has been accepted into this study! It lasts 54 weeks and we will be required to travel to Nashville, TN (over 500 miles away) six times over that period. While at home during this study, we will need to have regular labs done and certain samples sent to the doctors via mail. After the study is complete, she's finished. No more medication. However, if there are significant results, the doctors will speak with her insurance and recommend coverage. This does not guarantee the insurance company will agree to cover the medication.
We are thankful for this opportunity and hope that it will be effective for Faith and for kids that need this in the future.
The testing starts January 8, 2017 and I know many of you do not know this family or know this little girl, but they have been a part of my life for over 12 years and mean a great deal to me. I am asking all my friends on facebook and around to pass this fund page on and to ask anyone who feels lead to please give to this family. The money donated or given would help with food, gas and place to while they are in Tennesse. It will also help with things back at home, while the family takes off work with their dauhter to get the medical help she needs.
Faith alone has had many struggles and puts her entire faith in the Lord and seeks God for all her treatments and tests she has been going through. She puts a smile on anyones face and is willing to help in an instant. She loves art, crafts and loves playing just like any other kid. Even though she fights through this obstiacle, she never gives up and always looks for a silver lining behind everthing. If you had a chance to meet her she would melt your heart.
Our daughter Faith was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma (a rare brain tumor) on January 31, 2010, she was six years old. Since then she has had two brain surgeries, radiation, and MRIs of her brain multiple times a year. As a result of this tumor and the surgery required to extract it her pituitary gland shut down, meaning that none of her hormones operate on their own. For the rest of her life, she must take medications to make her body function. Another result is hypothalamus obesity, which means that the tumor effected her hypothalamus and now her body gains weight for no reason. Excessive weight. Diet and exercise don't help.
However, we have received some exciting news! There is a special test/research that's being done ONLY on kids that have had craniopharyngioma (the type of brain tumor Faith had) and suffer from hypothalamic obesity. A medicine that is used for diabetics is being tested on children with Faith's exact condition. This has shown to be effective in helping suppress appetite and has resulted in significant weight loss. This is a safe FDA approved medication, but only for adults with diabetes. It's being researched because it hasn't been approved for children or for this medical condition. Once the results are approved for the kids like Faith this treatment will be expanded to help kids with other conditions that have similar symptoms. These kinds of tests/research can change the lives of kids forever. The chance to run and play without hurting, even just the chance to find clothes that fit (believe it or not is a huge deal for these kids).
Faith has been accepted into this study! It lasts 54 weeks and we will be required to travel to Nashville, TN (over 500 miles away) six times over that period. While at home during this study, we will need to have regular labs done and certain samples sent to the doctors via mail. After the study is complete, she's finished. No more medication. However, if there are significant results, the doctors will speak with her insurance and recommend coverage. This does not guarantee the insurance company will agree to cover the medication.
We are thankful for this opportunity and hope that it will be effective for Faith and for kids that need this in the future.
The testing starts January 8, 2017 and I know many of you do not know this family or know this little girl, but they have been a part of my life for over 12 years and mean a great deal to me. I am asking all my friends on facebook and around to pass this fund page on and to ask anyone who feels lead to please give to this family. The money donated or given would help with food, gas and place to while they are in Tennesse. It will also help with things back at home, while the family takes off work with their dauhter to get the medical help she needs.
Faith alone has had many struggles and puts her entire faith in the Lord and seeks God for all her treatments and tests she has been going through. She puts a smile on anyones face and is willing to help in an instant. She loves art, crafts and loves playing just like any other kid. Even though she fights through this obstiacle, she never gives up and always looks for a silver lining behind everthing. If you had a chance to meet her she would melt your heart.
Organizer and beneficiary
Eubank Cathy
Organizer
Monroe, MI
Faith Akens
Beneficiary