My name is Lexi! I am 20 years old, a psychology major at Purdue University, and a rising junior. Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, a condition that has completely changed my life.

Before becoming sick, I was focused on becoming an epidemiologist, enjoying my time baking at work, going out with friends, hiking in the outdoors, and building a sustainable future for myself. I have always been described as outgoing, carefree, optimistic, healthy, and overall quite easily happy. Now, much of my daily life revolves around avoiding reactions outside of my control I have already experienced two life threatening episodes of anaphylaxis that required emergency room visits in the late hours of the night.

At this point, the only food I have consistently been able to eat without severe reactions or pain is plain organic chicken that has been flash frozen and microwaved in a specific glass container. There is nothing else that I can eat without severe illness. Even small changes in the food, preparation method, brand, packaging, or container can put me at risk of a serious reaction that usually entails tongue swelling, shortness of breath, severe joint pain, itchy skin, cramps and vomiting, etc.

I can only drink distilled water from a glass cup. I cannot safely drink tap water, filtered or Brita water, or even most bottled water. I am unable to use regular toothpaste, many soaps, fragrances, or makeup products. I react to certain fabrics and clothing items, especially socks, and even the hardness of the water in a building can affect whether I can safely shower or wash my hands. Heat is also a problem with me, so I am often unable to go outside for more than a few minutes.

This condition has stolen a countless amount of things from me, especially just typical parts of life as a young adult. I cannot casually go to a restaurant, grab coffee with a friend, attend events involving food or fragrances, or stay somewhere without carefully considering the water, cleaning products, fabrics, and other possible triggers. The isolation has been incredibly difficult. I have had to watch my friends continue living normally while I have had to put much of my own life on hold just to survive.

I was also unable to work for several months, and living on such a restricted diet has left me malnourished. Between emergency room visits, medical testing, specialist appointments, missed income, and the lifelong need for specialized groceries and household products, the financial impact has been devastating.

Because mast cell activation conditions are still poorly understood and are not widely recognized, finding knowledgeable medical care has been extremely difficult. Many of the medications used to treat this condition are prescribed off label, which creates even more barriers with insurance coverage. I finally found a doctor who listened to me after months of looking. However, this doctor does not accept my insurance, and the medication I need costs approximately $600 every month.

I am asking for help covering my medical bills, specialist appointments, medication, groceries, water, necessary household products, and the income I lost while I was too sick to work. Donations would also help me continue my education at Purdue while I learn how to manage this condition and regain some stability and hopefully an ounce of normalcy.

It is difficult to ask for help, but I cannot manage these costs alone. I am only 20, and I have already had to stop so many parts of my life because of this illness. I want the chance to continue school, become healthy enough to work again, spend time with the people I love, and build the future I was working toward before I became sick.

Any donation, no matter the amount, would make a huge difference to me Sharing this fundraiser would also help more than I can ever express with words. Thank you for reading my story and helping me move to a better, more stable life!