I’m raising funds for my sister, Tammy Lakes, who is fighting a rare non-tuberculosis mycobacterium infection with the current treatment no longer effective. An experimental phage treatment has been developed specifically for her and has received special approval by the FDA. Tammy is responsible for 100% of the treatment as insurance will not pay a dime since it is experimental in nature. The costs will likely exceed $500,000. She was forced to leave California, the home she loved, 2-years ago because her body could not tolerate the bright sun because of this rare disease. Because this treatment was initiated by her pulmonologist in Irvine, she will have to return frequently to California for the treatment and will incur hotel, food, and daily living expenses along with her hospital stays.

Finding a phage capable of targeting her specific infection was considered nearly impossible by experts because phages must be extraordinary precise and often do not exist for conditions like hers. In a nutshell, a phage is a virus that eats a bacteria. Against all odds an experimental phage was not only discovered but custom developed specifically for Tammy which in itself is viewed as a medical anomaly. This is not just a treatment, it is a once in a lifetime convergence of science and hope. If you would like to learn more about the future of phage therapy, please see the link here to a story on CNN with Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Tammy is an amazing mother, sister, daughter and a loyal friend to many and strives to make the world a better place! She founded a tech education charity teaching underserved kids skills to give them opportunities to thrive. She is a CASA volunteer for two boys and is a trustee for the the House of Mandela Family Foundation.

Please help to make this phage treatment a reality for her and help to support her during this very difficult time. Tammy was very much against a crowdfunding campaign for medical expenses, but with the critical nature of the situation and the anticipated costs there are no other options.

Thanks in advance. If you wish to make a donation offline, please contact Tammy or I directly. Please spread the word to her friends around the world. Also, please leave a message of encouragement for Tammy. I will add updates on her heath in the coming months.