Help Alex Fight His Rare Condition

(⚠️ Information: I had problems setting up my fundraiser for a long time, everytime it would glitch out and the network would lose connection, it would log me off. I would constantly have to make new accounts for it to work because everytime, the pages wouldn't load. ⚠️)

⚠️ (Currently also in need of a specialized PAPR system integrated into an oxygen mask to assist me in daily living will ensure my survival and ability to breathe- $800) ⚠️

My name is Alex Pizano. I am 19 years old and live in Tampa, Florida. I used to be an avid outdoorsman, naturalist, and fisherman. I loved the beaches, forests, and animals. I've had many outdoor adventures and good times.

Unfortunately, something very scary has turned my life upside down. In February 2021, I had COVID-19. I quickly recovered, but later on March 23, 2021, I had a near-death experience and was taken to the hospital. This was exactly when I was 16.

For nearly three years, I have been dealing with a rare kind of autoimmune/auto-inflammatory disease that has nearly killed me multiple times. This is a rare post-COVID condition It may be related to cases of MISC (Multiple Inflammatory Syndrome in Children). Although in my case, the attacks were reoccurring. Every time I had an attack on my body, I would be taken to the hospital and neglected any possible true life-saving treatment, as no one with the experience would be present during the attacks. I was let down by the medical system, cast aside as many hospital visits only revealed minor aspects of my condition.

For nearly three years, I've had nothing but pure luck which has saved me during the flare-ups, where my blood vessels bulge, and my arms, legs, and hands all become swollen and inflamed. I've had Blood clots, and I've lost the ability to breathe, now my body is permanently damaged. I now use a nebulizer, inhalers, and oxygen therapy to saturate proper oxygen. I also rely on heavy anti-coagulants.

Every time I stand up, I seem to be on a limit for how long I can stand up without my oxygen saturation going below 80%. My blood was also very thick and it wouldn't flow through my veins at all. I felt as if my body wasn't getting much blood to my other organs

I am permanently disabled and mostly bedbound due to damage from the attacks. I only recently received heavy immunosuppressants to stop any future flare-ups of my body. Our care team is still trying to determine which drugs work best for me. as this disease is different, I may not fully respond to standard treatments. Anti-rejection drugs may be my best option as of right now.

Immune-system based problems, are only the beginning of my condition. I also get temporary/partial paralysis, seizures and all kinds of other strange Neuro-immune symptoms. With all the damage I've received, I am trying my best to survive.

I've been told at some point during my last attack more severe Neuro-immune problems have increased, They came from an onset not too long after an reinfection.

I have done a lot of research on similarly rare conditions oftentimes occurring post-covid. I have tried to find many treatments to use and many have failed. there are still many to try so I hope this goal will help me succeed.

I am fighting for my life every single day

This specific case of post-covid syndrome is so very different, rare cases like these warrant experimental and expensive treatments and specialized therapies -

Monoclonal antibodies, (Rituximab, Tocilizumab) IVIG, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange/Plasmapheresis: $50,000+

Stem Cells and Stem Cell Transplant: $800,000+

CAR-T Cell Therapy: Over $1,000,000

My family and care team are very interested in these treatments. I pray to God all of this will save and heal me. The goal will also cover hospital expenses to medical equipment,

The goal could also cover quality of life improvement interventions, including any form of environmental modification, to go alongside a specialized palliative and supportive care plan

if I heal, I will dedicate a large part of my life to doing what I have always wished to do. I wish to work as a wildlife biologist, working with animals, nature, and doing all kinds of things to help nature heal and live. I know ways to help combat threats to our world by using the earth's natural resources. I want to change the way people see the world and how we are misusing nature. I just want to be a voice for nature as a scientist to help life flourish and survive.

Ideas I have include shark tagging, primate conservation, and studying the local wildlife of my state of Florida. I have dreams of catching the largest sharks as a conservationist and a fisherman, and I have dreams of spreading awareness of endangered primates such as various macaque monkeys. This is what I want to do, and this is what I hope to achieve in the future if possible.

I also wish to be a lead in activism using various means, like Podcasts, talk shows, and anything else similar to that. I wish to get advocate for those with post-covid, vaccine injuries, and Severe M.E.

These are newly studied chronic and terminal diseases that need more support and research.

There are so many more things we can do to support those who are chronically ill. I eventually want to make an organization to support folks with these illnesses, in my area

I wish to be a part of the effort to slowly heal our nation after the horrors that came with the pandemic. There has been a lot of abuse in the medical industry. Specifically to patients and the chronically ill.

Thank you for your time, and God bless us all.