Help Tara battle MS

Believe it or not, Tara Mutukisna got married! In July, she married her long-time boyfriend, Cory. For lots of us, it was a bit of a surprise. Not because they didn't belong together - we all knew they are a very well-suited pair - but we've all known Tara to be as independent as they come and I'm not sure any of us expected she and Cory would tie the knot anytime soon.

Behind the scenes, though, both Tara and Cory have been dealing with life-shattering news. Tara was recently diagnosed with Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Weeks before their wedding, they were a care-free, funny, irreverent couple that valued friends and fun above all. They didn't take life too seriously, but no one ever doubted their commitment to each other or to their friends.

In an instant, their lives were turned upside down. They are now a newly married couple that have had to re-evaluate their reality with an eye towards a variety of completely unexpected curveballs and limitations that have set them on a course no one could have predicted.

MS is no joke, and tragically, we've recently come to learn it went undiagnosed for Tara, for perhaps as many as ten years.

Because of this diagnosis, Tara is currently unable to work, in the midst of what seem like a never-ending series of tests as experts at UCSF work to determine a treatment plan. So far, the MS has impacted her life physically and emotionally, and while not all test results are in, she is likely to be impacted cognitively as well.

With Tara's lost income and an unclear future in terms of what kind of work she will be able to do, their bills are piling up and they're grappling with challengs, financial and otherwise, that they aren't sure how to manage. Her time is going to be filled with lots of physical therapy and doctor's appointments, and even while she and Cory are working hard to adjust to the very frightening challenges that have become a big part of their daily lives, they're doing so with the most positive of attitudes and with a practical eye towards the future.

Cory is working on remodeling part of their home to build a rentable unit which will create a new stream of income and help position them to manage their mortgage and other expenses in a sustainable way. He will do the bulk of the work himself, with some devoted friends helping out in order to keep the costs low, but they will need to purchase materials and hire some skilled tradespeople along the way.

Anyone who knows Tara - friend, family member, colleague - knows she is one of the most dedicated, hard-working, supportive people in all those capacities. We know her to be a brilliant friend, an athlete, and an accomplished and reliable employee and colleague. With her sister, she co-founded an amazing organization designed to help underprivileged youth in the Oakland area forge a viable career path, leaving a high-tech career to instead devote herself to a cause she felt was more important.

She has always been determined to make her own way in life, and has done so with a deep dedication to helping others however she can. It's also her nature to solve her own problems, but right now, she and Cory need our help.

While the doctors do their part and determine next steps, we're launching this campaign to help Cory and Tara get through this period of uncertainty. We've set the goal number for this campaign based on six months' worth of her lost income, and the funds they project they will need to make the remodel happen.

Tara has given in so many ways to others; now she needs us to help her get through this difficult time transitioning to a new life. Please contribute anything you can to help.