Help Mother Battle Rare Disease

Dear Friends,

I am reaching out to share Kerry Kitts' story -- a resilient mother facing a harrowing battle against a rare autoimmune disorder: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA).

The disease has disfigured her nose and severely damaged her nasal passages and esophagus. It has left a huge hole in the back of her mouth, making it hard for her to swallow and digest food properly, and causing frequent nosebleeds, discharge of pus, wheezing, weakness, and shortness of breath. The disease has also taken Kerry's voice from her, producing a muffled, raspy sound that is sometimes difficult to discern.

Kerry's GPA was exacerbated by the COVID virus. A rash related to Covid spread all over her body and was resistant to treatment. She needed -- and still needs -- asthma inhalers to breathe properly, in addition to a cocktail of immunosuppressant drugs just to stay alive. These drugs have serious side effects, many of which Kerry has had to endure. Prior to doctors' finding the genetic marker for GPA in Kerry's blood, her disorder had been misdiagnosed several times, leading to use of experimental pharmaceuticals which wreaked havoc on her body.

In short, GPA has ruined this young woman's life. The medicines have helped, but her only hope for a full recovery is to undergo multiple complex surgeries performed by a team of specialists.

The disease has also robbed her of her vocation. She has a business administration degree from WSU/V and for years worked in multiple industries as an accountant, office manager, and service worker. The loss of clarity in speech has cost her these and other jobs for which she is well qualified. Despite this huge setback, she has chosen to work tirelessly as a delivery driver to support her two young sons.

Kerry is a kind and compassionate soul always thinking of others. She’ll send people thoughtful notes and words of encouragement, grieve with them, find resources for them. She did many of these things at the height of her own illness.

She really needs our help now. Without generous assistance, she will become destitute, lose her home, and see her children experience extreme hardship.

We are asking for $70,000 to help Kerry get through her five surgeries and sustain her family during her recovery. Any contribution is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your kindness.

With love and gratitude,

Jim Frohlich

More about her illness and path to recovery

To learn more about granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), visit these sites:

What the illness has done to her:

Above: Recent photos reveal the deterioration of her nose.

Above pictures show the growth in the hole at the top of Kerry's mouth.

Above: A severe itchy rash caused by long Covid left Kerry's whole body scarred. The virus exacerbated her GPA.

Planned Surgeries (will be performed at OHSU):

GPA has eaten away Kerry’s uvula, soft palate, hard palate, and much of the cartilage and soft tissues of her nasal cavities; this has caused her face to collapse.

First surgery: The name of the first surgery is Closure of Anterior Palatal Fistula by Tongue Flap and is scheduled to be performed on April 29, 2024. Kerry’s tongue will be cut horizontally, and the top slice will be stitched to the top of her mouth to cover the hole created by GPA. After this surgery, her mouth will be wired shut for three weeks to allow the top section of her tongue to bond to the roof of her mouth.

Second surgery: Once the top section of her tongue is bonded to the roof of her mouth, it will be severed from the core of her tongue. Recovery is expected to take three months.

Third surgery: The doctors will shave off skin from Kerry’s cheeks and the back of her throat to restore her soft palate. After a three month recovery from this surgery, Kerry will be able to speak clearly again.

Three months after the soft pallet surgery, the doctors will start the facial and respiratory surgeries to complete the reconstruction of the nasal passages so she can breathe and eat properly.

Kerry before her illness: