Sammy Jo’s Stem Cell Transplant for Scleroderma
Donation protected
3 years ago, January 2018, my life changed forever. My hands started swelling, they were turning white and purple in the cold and when stressed, I had no idea what was happening. I started talking to my doctor and by May 2018 I was diagnosed with a rare chronic illness, Scleroderma (Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis).
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease, there is no cure and they do not know what causes it. It causes my body to produce excessive amounts of collagen that tightens the skin and it becomes harder and thicker. Scleroderma can cause fibrosis of the internal organs as well and extreme joint pain, painful digital ulcers and Raynaud's Phenomenon of the hands, feet and tongue. Every case is different and presents itself in a different way.
My case of scleroderma has tightened the skin on most of my body, making it hard to move or do anything on my own. I have tried medicine after medicine and my symptoms continue to get worse, making it hard to work and making it hard to spend quality time with my kids and family.
I have the opportunity to get a procedure done called Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant at the end of March 2021. This procedure will reboot my immune system that uses chemo and radiation to wipe out my current immune system. My stem cells will be harvested and will grow a new immune system. The goal is to stop the progression of the disease and to see improvements in joint pain, skin tightness and alleviate some of my acid reflux as well. It is possible for scleroderma to go into remission!!
The Stem Cell Transplant is very expensive and will leave me away from my family and my home for at least 6 weeks, probably longer. During this time I will not be able to work as well. The funds from this will go towards my deductible and living expenses away from home. We appreciate any donation at this time as we embark on this journey to help get me back to my active and pain free self!
Thank you,
Sammy Jo and the Reams family
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease, there is no cure and they do not know what causes it. It causes my body to produce excessive amounts of collagen that tightens the skin and it becomes harder and thicker. Scleroderma can cause fibrosis of the internal organs as well and extreme joint pain, painful digital ulcers and Raynaud's Phenomenon of the hands, feet and tongue. Every case is different and presents itself in a different way.
My case of scleroderma has tightened the skin on most of my body, making it hard to move or do anything on my own. I have tried medicine after medicine and my symptoms continue to get worse, making it hard to work and making it hard to spend quality time with my kids and family.
I have the opportunity to get a procedure done called Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant at the end of March 2021. This procedure will reboot my immune system that uses chemo and radiation to wipe out my current immune system. My stem cells will be harvested and will grow a new immune system. The goal is to stop the progression of the disease and to see improvements in joint pain, skin tightness and alleviate some of my acid reflux as well. It is possible for scleroderma to go into remission!!
The Stem Cell Transplant is very expensive and will leave me away from my family and my home for at least 6 weeks, probably longer. During this time I will not be able to work as well. The funds from this will go towards my deductible and living expenses away from home. We appreciate any donation at this time as we embark on this journey to help get me back to my active and pain free self!
Thank you,
Sammy Jo and the Reams family
Organizer
Samantha Jo Reams
Organizer
Salemburg, NC