We Did It — Thank You from the Bottom of Our Hearts

Because of your kindness, support, and generosity — both through this GoFundMe and private donations — we’ve officially reached our fundraising goal for Elliot's high-dose IVIG treatment for PANDAS! Words can not express how thankful we are for each and every one of you! THANK YOU!

Help Elliot Access His Best Chance at Healing – Treatment for PANS/PANDAS

Our 4-year-old son, Elliot, is battling a devastating autoimmune brain inflammation condition called PANS/PANDAS. This disorder causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the brain, leading to sudden and severe psychiatric and neurological symptoms.

Elliot has now experienced three major flares, with the most recent—starting in November 2024—being by far the most debilitating.

What This Looks Like

Before this most recent flare, Elliot was a joyful, connected, and bright little boy.

He no longer recognizes himself—and some days, we hardly recognize him either. He often can’t attend school and sometimes struggles just to walk due to the inflammation. We are watching our son lose pieces of himself to this disease, and it is heartbreaking.

Why We Need Help

We’ve followed every medically recommended path over the past few years—therapies, special diets, medications, supplements, and even surgery last month to remove a chronic infection trigger. Elliot has also undergone three rounds of low-dose IVIG, which gave us brief glimpses of improvement. Sadly, the benefits were temporary, and his symptoms returned each time. Based on current research and clinical guidelines from the PANDAS Network, his care team now believes that a full therapeutic dose of high-dose IVIG is needed—the same dose associated with the most successful outcomes, including remission or significant reduction in symptoms

Elliot is under the care of one of the leading specialists in this condition, who believes that high-dose IVIG is the most urgent and promising next step. The treatment involves a 6-8 hour infusion each day over the course of two days.

Unfortunately, this treatment must be administered out of state, and neither the specialist nor the facility is covered by our insurance. The medication alone costs over $13,200, and the physician's fee adds more.

Our Goal

We are using our family’s own savings to cover half the total cost. We’re asking for help with the other half—$8,500—which will go directly toward the IVIG medication and physician fee.

We will also personally cover travel and any other related costs.

How You Can Help

If you feel moved to support Elliot, we would be deeply grateful. Every dollar will bring us closer to giving him a real chance at healing and getting his childhood back.

If you are unable to donate right now, please consider sharing this—and most importantly, please keep Elliot in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for being part of Elliot’s journey.

With gratitude and hope,

The Stepanian Family