Help Samantha fight Ahus
Donation protected
My daughter Samantha has been diagnosed with a very rare disease known as "Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome", or aHUS. As i understand it, It's caused by the complement (part of the immune system), attacking her blood cells, causing them damage. The fragments of the damaged blood cells clot in the kidneys, and other organs like the brain and heart. Even though there is clotting, the blood is also thinned from the aHUS. This makes breathing harder and drains her energy. There is no easy fix for this.
The only known treatment is (Soliris) which is a Chemo type drug. This drug introduces antibodies which inhibits the complement proteins responsible for Sammy’s illness. It is hoped the blood count and kidneys will possibly recover. Since this antibody is not produced by her own body, it has to be given to her on a weekly basis, intravenously.
Soliris was invented only a few years ago, and her dosage of the treatment currently costs about $200,000 per treatment. Only about 1000 people per year in the US are diagnosed with aHUS. People who have contracted this illness have a 5 year survival rate of 30%. In Samantha’s case, doctors said without the Soliris we would not have her here with us today. It is the only real long-term treatment available, and has allowed some people to fully recover even after being on dialysis. Her first bout of aHUS resulted in a hospital stay of 23 days, with daily blood transfusions, dialysis and plasmapheresis. It's not clear if and when she will be able to return to work as an EMT. Since they now think dialysis is going to be a permanent thing until she gets a kidney transplant. These treatments are very taxing on her body. She has always been a person who is quick to help others. Now she needs others help.
If you can donate in any way please do so as the medical costs are Increasing. Any amount will be appreciated. Please also share this page. Thank you and God bless
The only known treatment is (Soliris) which is a Chemo type drug. This drug introduces antibodies which inhibits the complement proteins responsible for Sammy’s illness. It is hoped the blood count and kidneys will possibly recover. Since this antibody is not produced by her own body, it has to be given to her on a weekly basis, intravenously.
Soliris was invented only a few years ago, and her dosage of the treatment currently costs about $200,000 per treatment. Only about 1000 people per year in the US are diagnosed with aHUS. People who have contracted this illness have a 5 year survival rate of 30%. In Samantha’s case, doctors said without the Soliris we would not have her here with us today. It is the only real long-term treatment available, and has allowed some people to fully recover even after being on dialysis. Her first bout of aHUS resulted in a hospital stay of 23 days, with daily blood transfusions, dialysis and plasmapheresis. It's not clear if and when she will be able to return to work as an EMT. Since they now think dialysis is going to be a permanent thing until she gets a kidney transplant. These treatments are very taxing on her body. She has always been a person who is quick to help others. Now she needs others help.
If you can donate in any way please do so as the medical costs are Increasing. Any amount will be appreciated. Please also share this page. Thank you and God bless
Organizer and beneficiary
Melissa Odell
Organizer
Vancleave, MS
Samantha Odell
Beneficiary
