Help Larissa Afford Medication for Ankylosing Spondylitis

My name is Larissa, a 26-year old diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in 2022. Ankylosing Spondylitis is an autoimmune inflammatory arthritis that mostly affects my lower spine, sacroiliac (SI) joints, and hips, but also is recently manifesting in my cervical spine, knees, ankles, wrists, and fingers. It's a painful disease; my body is attacking its joints, and my SI joints and cervical neck have sclerosis and partial fusion. Treatment for this disease involves biologic or chemotherapeutic medications that slow down disease progression by stopping my body from attacking its joints.

I have started this GoFundMe to help pay for the cost of my biologic medication, Xeljanz (tofacitinib). This medication helps me function on a day-to-day basis, decrease my joint inflammation, and helps me to walk with less pain. I am able to work only part time due to pain and fatigue from this disease as it is (18 hours a week) and make about $500 per biweekly pay check and have $110 to spare based on my written budget and other monthly bills that are due. I have been declared disabled but have not been approved for government disability assistance.

I was informed by my pharmacy on September 5, 2024, that my financial assistance has been exhausted for the year 2024. The cost I would owe for the next bottle of meds is $1629.10, then approximately $3300 for the next bottle. My financial assistance resets January 1, 2025.

Any amount helps and would be incredibly appreciated. Funds will go directly to the cost of Xeljanz. ❤️ #ankylosingspondylitis #arthritis