Help The Ioannidis Family Through Emma's Health Crisis

***Update Below- the window for Emma’s recovery is closing ***

As many of you have heard, Emma, daughter of our dear friends and neighbors-Nikolai (Nick) and Elena Ioannidis, suffered an acute autoimmune attack to her spinal cord following a minor cold infection. The symptoms progressed quickly over the course of 24 hours resulting in paralysis below the chest. The medical team acted as quickly as they could and administered the only available therapies for this condition, called transverse myelitis. This condition is ultra rare and there is very limited information about its cause and treatment. The medical team hasn’t been able to find the root cause of which infection set off the attack as all the testing has come back negative. Additional testing of the antibodies confirmed that her body is creating antibodies specifically against the cells of her spinal cord. The Ioannidis family is coping the best they can with this sudden, tragic, health development. The prognosis of this condition could mean recovery in 3 months(best case scenario), or up to two years depending on severity or damage to the spinal cord cells. There is a chance that no recovery occurs. Currently, the treatments are aimed at reducing immune activity and later on the extend of damage will be assessed through MRI and clinically. Time will tell.

The family needs your help. The best way you can help is by contributing to their financial situation for their survival and so they can obtain the best possible care and recovery for their daughter. The family also has a 4 year old son, Ethan. The Ioannidis family is overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciates each and every one of you and every gesture. The family is hopeful that Emma will make a fully recovery, despite the odds of her case. She is a strong, brave angel and the sweetest girl you will ever meet. The family remains in Children’s ICU at All Children’s Hospital in St. Pete, and once treatment (steroids, plasmaphoresis, and IVIG) is completed they will be transferred out to the main hospital floor. More updates will come as soon as we have more information.

Let’s all get together to help our dear neighbors during this difficult time.