Help Emily Recover from Anti-NMDA-R Encephalitis!

Please consider supporting Emily Duke and her family as she fights to recover from Anti NMDA Receptor Encephalitis, an extremely rare and debilitating autoimmune disease that attacks the brain. Emily is the 19-year-old daughter of our dear friends Krista and Kevin Duke from Woodstock, GA. Emily is a sophomore at Auburn University and is a Vice President of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority on campus.

What happened?

A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, Emily began complaining of severe headaches. By Thanksgiving morning, while visiting family in Orlando, Emily became disoriented, vomiting, and showing signs of hallucinations. Her family drove her to the ER and she was admitted to the Neurology unit in the Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Over the next two weeks Emily's condition drastically deteriorated, becoming non-responsive with uncontrolled neurological tremors. Emily's comprehension and ability to speak have severely diminished and she is unable to eat, drink, walk, or control her body.

Confirmed Diagnosis...

Emily's rare diagnosis for Anti NMDA Receptor Encephalitis was confirmed after multiple spinal fluid tests. However she is a fighter and with your help, we are confident she will battle back from this disease!

Marathon, not a sprint...

Emily was transferred from Orlando Regional Medical Center to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to get the best care for this disease. Emily’s treatment and recovery will be measured in MONTHS not days. During which, Emily will receive a variety of therapy and medication that may not be covered by insurance.

Far from home…

Emily's treatment in Jacksonville is far from Woodstock, GA where the Duke family calls home. Kevin and Krista will navigate a lengthy hospitalization for Emily away from family and will need to find long-term lodging accommodations. Krista will take an extended leave from her job as a middle school teacher to help Emily in her treatment and recovery.

How can I Help?

Keep Up with Emily’s Fight...

If you want to follow Emily’s road to recovery story, you can also follow on her Caring Bridge site here: Visit Emily's Caring Bridge Site

We sincerely appreciate your help and support,

From forever friends:

Karen, Krissy, and Alie.

More about Anti NMDA Receptor Encephalitis.

This rare disease affects 1 in 1.5 million people, mostly young females between the ages of 12 and 25. The Mayo Clinic has leading experts and is currently one of 26 hospitals participating in a new drug therapy trial for treating Anti NMDA Receptor Encephalitis.