Kelly's Battle with MS and Medical Bills (Ocrevus)
Donation protected
My Friend Kelly
Have you ever met a stranger and felt an instant connection that is so deep, it drives your fingers to type this very sentence? Well, that is what is happening here, so please take a minute to help my new and dear friend, Kelly.
I met Kelly through my parents a little over a month ago and we clicked instantly. After hearing about her battle with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, (RRMS) and her exorbitant medical bills, I knew that something had to be done. Above is a GoFundMe page that Kelly started herself in an attempt to alleviate the financial stress of her $7,000 copay for a $556,000 treatment called, "Ocrevus."
Ocrevus is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for RRMS. Kelly has not been successful in reaching her goal to cover this groundbreaking treatment, so I am here with the hopes to exceed her expectations.
About Kelly
Kelly is a 51 year old woman who has been living (and fighting) with RRMS, since being diagnosed at age 20. She is a mother, a girlfriend, a sister, a daughter, and most importantly an amazing human being. She has an open mind and an open heart, and supports others who struggle like her. She donates often to the MS foundation, as well as other medical foundations to support the hope for a better, more comfortable way of life. Since there is no cure for MS, those diagnosed yearn for a treatment or medication that makes them feel more comfortable, or as Kelly puts it, "alive again."
The Cost
Kelly must sit through a 2.5 hour infusion twice a year to receive this treatment (See Below). That means that she has to cover $14,000 in copays for the year, as well as the portions of the treatment that insurance doesn't cover. There are potentially dangerous side effects involved, but, luckily, Kelly took well to her first treatment. Now, she is struggling to come up with the money for her next one in December of 2020, and those after, and I hope we can raise enough money to really make a difference in her life. All of the money raised will go towards Kelly's medical bills for this Ocrevus treatment. It has changed her life so far, and I would hate to see that taken away from her.
Why Help?
Before Ocrevus, day-to-day life typically included narcoleptic episodes, constant dizziness, double/triple-vision, loss of feeling from the waist down, etc. She has Optic Neuritis which has caused her to go blind 22 times. This has unfortunately resulted in permanent damage in one of her eyes.
Kelly has gone 30 years searching for ways to reduce these debilitating symptoms. When she was first diagnosed there were no medications or treatments to help at all. She lived in pain and frustration for 8 years before discovering a treatment that helped her, which was then followed by years of trial and error with different treatments/medications. One treatment, which consisted of daily shots, lasted about 16 years until it ultimately deteriorated her skin and caused unrepairable damage. She has lived in agony for long enough, and it is time to make a difference in her life.
With Ocrevus, Kelly has finally found her solution to feeling alive again, so please help her continue to receive this treatment.
Thank You
It would mean a lot to me for everyone to share this link so that Kelly's story can be spread and have some light shed on the financial hardships that many people with this disease battle. It breaks my heart to see such a great person struggle financially, when she is already struggling physically and mentally from her disease.
Thank you for your time reading, donating, and sharing. Every effort is appreciated!
Have you ever met a stranger and felt an instant connection that is so deep, it drives your fingers to type this very sentence? Well, that is what is happening here, so please take a minute to help my new and dear friend, Kelly.
I met Kelly through my parents a little over a month ago and we clicked instantly. After hearing about her battle with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, (RRMS) and her exorbitant medical bills, I knew that something had to be done. Above is a GoFundMe page that Kelly started herself in an attempt to alleviate the financial stress of her $7,000 copay for a $556,000 treatment called, "Ocrevus."
Ocrevus is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for RRMS. Kelly has not been successful in reaching her goal to cover this groundbreaking treatment, so I am here with the hopes to exceed her expectations.
About Kelly
Kelly is a 51 year old woman who has been living (and fighting) with RRMS, since being diagnosed at age 20. She is a mother, a girlfriend, a sister, a daughter, and most importantly an amazing human being. She has an open mind and an open heart, and supports others who struggle like her. She donates often to the MS foundation, as well as other medical foundations to support the hope for a better, more comfortable way of life. Since there is no cure for MS, those diagnosed yearn for a treatment or medication that makes them feel more comfortable, or as Kelly puts it, "alive again."
The Cost
Kelly must sit through a 2.5 hour infusion twice a year to receive this treatment (See Below). That means that she has to cover $14,000 in copays for the year, as well as the portions of the treatment that insurance doesn't cover. There are potentially dangerous side effects involved, but, luckily, Kelly took well to her first treatment. Now, she is struggling to come up with the money for her next one in December of 2020, and those after, and I hope we can raise enough money to really make a difference in her life. All of the money raised will go towards Kelly's medical bills for this Ocrevus treatment. It has changed her life so far, and I would hate to see that taken away from her.
Why Help?
Before Ocrevus, day-to-day life typically included narcoleptic episodes, constant dizziness, double/triple-vision, loss of feeling from the waist down, etc. She has Optic Neuritis which has caused her to go blind 22 times. This has unfortunately resulted in permanent damage in one of her eyes.
Kelly has gone 30 years searching for ways to reduce these debilitating symptoms. When she was first diagnosed there were no medications or treatments to help at all. She lived in pain and frustration for 8 years before discovering a treatment that helped her, which was then followed by years of trial and error with different treatments/medications. One treatment, which consisted of daily shots, lasted about 16 years until it ultimately deteriorated her skin and caused unrepairable damage. She has lived in agony for long enough, and it is time to make a difference in her life.
With Ocrevus, Kelly has finally found her solution to feeling alive again, so please help her continue to receive this treatment.
Thank You
It would mean a lot to me for everyone to share this link so that Kelly's story can be spread and have some light shed on the financial hardships that many people with this disease battle. It breaks my heart to see such a great person struggle financially, when she is already struggling physically and mentally from her disease.
Thank you for your time reading, donating, and sharing. Every effort is appreciated!
Organizer and beneficiary
Courtney Anne
Organizer
Wantagh, NY
Kelly Maguinness
Beneficiary