My name is Tamara Humbert, and I want to share my story in my own words. For 10 years, I devoted myself to looking after and caring for my husband, Jay, through his own health struggles. Supporting him was a privilege and a challenge, and it shaped so much of my life and strength.

For the past 15 years, I have lived with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and have been on dialysis, fighting every day to stay strong for myself and my family. Recently, I was diagnosed with calciphylaxis (calcific uremic arteriolopathy), a rare, severe, and often fatal condition. It causes calcium to build up in small blood vessels, leading to painful skin ulcers, tissue death, and serious infections. The wounds are non-healing, and the pain is constant. Management focuses on wound care, infection control, and correcting mineral imbalances, but there is no cure.

As my condition has progressed, my next step is to begin palliative care. This specialized care is focused on relieving my symptoms—pain, anxiety, and shortness of breath—and supporting both me and my family. Eventually, I will be stopping dialysis and starting hospice care, so I can focus on comfort and dignity in my final days. The costs of medications, comfort items, medical care, and funeral expenses are overwhelming, and I want to ease the burden on my loved ones as much as possible.

I am reaching out for help from my community, friends, and anyone moved by my story. Your support will go directly toward my medications, comfort and quality of life needs, medical bills, and funeral expenses. I only am on Medicare health insurance and Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference for me and my family. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support during this incredibly difficult time.