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Jen Huntley Medical Fund

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Lee and Jen Huntley, two beautiful people who need so much help. Medical bills are mounting. 

In August of 2017, Jen was diagnosed with diffuse systemic scleroderma, an often fatal autoimmune disease of the connective tissue.

There is no cure for diffuse systemic scleroderma. It is characterized by thickening of the skin caused by accumulation of collagen, and by injuries to small arteries. There are two forms of scleroderma: localized and systemic. The localized (limited) form affects the skin of only the face, hands, and feet. The systemic (diffuse) form involves those and, in addition, may progress to visceral organs, including the kidneys, heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract.

Prognosis is determined by the form of the disease and the extent of visceral involvement. Patients with limited cutaneous scleroderma have a 10-year survival rate of 75%; less than 10% develop pulmonary arterial hypertension after 10 to 20 years. Patients with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma have a 10-year survival rate of 55%. Death is most often caused by lung, heart, and kidney involvement. There is also a slight increase in the risk of cancer.

Jen's case is odd, and has stumped all the doctors that she has seen in the way it presented itself and how very aggressive it is but then not involving the internal organs yet. One of her doctors is afraid that if she doesn't get the stem-cell surgery right away, and the scleroderma hits her insides as fast as it did her outsides, they won't have time to find a donor and get the surgery done.

Jen's rheumatologist started her on a six month for trial of chemotherapy to see if that would help after the first medication (methotrexate) only made her feel worse. So far, she hasn't responded to any of the medication they've tried. The chemo has helped some, mostly helping get rid of the painful vasculitis on her legs.

She went to Seattle to a specialist on her case and he was very helpful even though they did not get the answers they were seeking. Jen and her husband Lee,  were hoping for the possibility of a stem-cell transplant but were told that at this time, she was not a candidate for that because she does not have the heart/lung problems yet. But he did send her paperwork to them anyway. And recommended a medication for Jen to try after the chemotherapy is done.

The Huntley's found out less than a week before their Seattle appointment that their insurance would not pay for her to see this doctor.  Simply because they consider anything to do with stem-cells and auto-immune disease experimental. But they will pay for it for other things, just not auto-immune diseases.

So if/when they do get approved from the doctors in Seattle, it will all be OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE!

Medical bills are already stacking up substantially, so every little bit helps. Jen is unable to work anymore because of the deteriorating condition of her health. 

Jen and Lee are parents of two active teenagers.  Any amount you can spare will be helpful!
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Donations 

  • Ricky Huntley
    • $200
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Bob Mangold
Organizer
Grangeville, ID
Jen Huntley
Beneficiary

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