Kristen's Stem Cell Transplant
Donation protected
Hello everyone!! We are writing today to explain what our dear mother, daughter, friend and
co-worker, Kristen Tarufelli, has been experiencing health-wise for the past few years, and the
challenging journey she is about to embark on; for which she needs our support!
In July 2017, Kristen was diagnosed with the most severe form of a devastating and
extremely rare autoimmune disease known as diffuse systemic sclerosis, also known as
scleroderma. It is also referred to as the disease that “turns your body to stone.” Its
characteristics include the hardening of the skin and other major organs (lungs, kidneys &
heart); all of which are extremely painful, debilitating and can significantly shorten Kristen’s life.
Despite the fact that this disease is progressing at a very rapid pace, that her arms and hands
often look and feel as though they are encased in freezing-cold cement, and the overall fatigue
and pain throughout her entire body continues to increase; Kristen continues to amaze us all
with her determination to fight this awful disease with positivity!
Treatments include those that are similar to chemotherapy (5 days a month) and require many
doctor visits in Glenwood, Denver and Chicago and take the same exhausting toll on your body
as chemo does, coupled with the crippling effects of the disease itself. Regardless of the
challenge, doctor visits and overnight stays in hospitals, we continue to witness Kristen’s will to
keep her faith and smile going strong, be there for her family and friends, and work as close to
full-time as she can at the job she loves at the local college.
GOOD NEWS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Kristen’s courage and determination (and ideal case scenario after a week’s worth of difficult
and immense testing in September at Northwestern University Hospital) is paying off, but she
needs our help!
Kristen has just been approved as a good candidate for a STEM-CELL TRANSPLANT –
through a newly approved clinical trial by the FDA– the only current known treatment to halt or
stop this deadly disease (and Multiple Sclerosis). Here is a link on the doctor and procedure if
interested: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stem-cell-transplant-shows-promise-for-relapsingmultiple-sclerosis-patients/
This treatment will require about $30,000 out-of-pocket, and additionally requires a stay
in Chicago of almost two months, including both inpatient and outpatient treatment. The
procedure requires these funds up-front before they will book her transplant. Time is of
the essence and we can help get the clock working in her favor through our donations.
She is a very strong-willed lady, but she needs our help to get her life back. This is a high-risk
procedure, but Kristen has decided to go for it and not give up hope. We join her!
Please consider matching Kristen’s courage with a donation at whatever level you can. And
help us spread the word. Together we can help Kristen (and a support team of family members)
get the treatment she needs in Chicago. With her attitude and determination, after we help
raise these funds, there is nothing stopping her from contributing to medical science and beating
the odds and this disease!! Have Faith. Give Hope. Support Kristen! Thank You!!
co-worker, Kristen Tarufelli, has been experiencing health-wise for the past few years, and the
challenging journey she is about to embark on; for which she needs our support!
In July 2017, Kristen was diagnosed with the most severe form of a devastating and
extremely rare autoimmune disease known as diffuse systemic sclerosis, also known as
scleroderma. It is also referred to as the disease that “turns your body to stone.” Its
characteristics include the hardening of the skin and other major organs (lungs, kidneys &
heart); all of which are extremely painful, debilitating and can significantly shorten Kristen’s life.
Despite the fact that this disease is progressing at a very rapid pace, that her arms and hands
often look and feel as though they are encased in freezing-cold cement, and the overall fatigue
and pain throughout her entire body continues to increase; Kristen continues to amaze us all
with her determination to fight this awful disease with positivity!
Treatments include those that are similar to chemotherapy (5 days a month) and require many
doctor visits in Glenwood, Denver and Chicago and take the same exhausting toll on your body
as chemo does, coupled with the crippling effects of the disease itself. Regardless of the
challenge, doctor visits and overnight stays in hospitals, we continue to witness Kristen’s will to
keep her faith and smile going strong, be there for her family and friends, and work as close to
full-time as she can at the job she loves at the local college.
GOOD NEWS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Kristen’s courage and determination (and ideal case scenario after a week’s worth of difficult
and immense testing in September at Northwestern University Hospital) is paying off, but she
needs our help!
Kristen has just been approved as a good candidate for a STEM-CELL TRANSPLANT –
through a newly approved clinical trial by the FDA– the only current known treatment to halt or
stop this deadly disease (and Multiple Sclerosis). Here is a link on the doctor and procedure if
interested: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stem-cell-transplant-shows-promise-for-relapsingmultiple-sclerosis-patients/
This treatment will require about $30,000 out-of-pocket, and additionally requires a stay
in Chicago of almost two months, including both inpatient and outpatient treatment. The
procedure requires these funds up-front before they will book her transplant. Time is of
the essence and we can help get the clock working in her favor through our donations.
She is a very strong-willed lady, but she needs our help to get her life back. This is a high-risk
procedure, but Kristen has decided to go for it and not give up hope. We join her!
Please consider matching Kristen’s courage with a donation at whatever level you can. And
help us spread the word. Together we can help Kristen (and a support team of family members)
get the treatment she needs in Chicago. With her attitude and determination, after we help
raise these funds, there is nothing stopping her from contributing to medical science and beating
the odds and this disease!! Have Faith. Give Hope. Support Kristen! Thank You!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Miranda Tarufelli
Organizer
Rifle, CO
Kristen Tarufelli
Beneficiary