Support Anna’s Medical Journey

This fundraiser is in support of Anna Hocum and her ongoing medical journey that has recently taken a devastating turn and resulted in insurmountable medical bills for her life altering treatment. She is currently facing severe lung issues and exacerbation of other health conditions. We are graciously seeking assistance raising $30,000 for 3 months of Anna’s medication coverage while we continue the battle with the insurance company, knowing her condition is progressively declining.

In May 2024, Anna was diagnosed with Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency coupled with asthma and Stage 3 severe COPD. This diagnosis comes with a long list of struggles, but most urgently the significant shortness of breath, decreased lung function, coughing and fatigue. Left untreated, Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency will result in continued deterioration of her COPD, leading to emphysema, liver damage and liver failure.

Anna’s treating pulmonologist prescribed an enzyme replacement therapy in May 2024. Her healthcare denied coverage, then denied each of their attempts to appeal under the plan. The manufacturer of the medication does not provide financial assistance. While we continue to explore all avenues to help with medication costs, Anna will never regain the lung capacity she has lost while waiting for her health insurance to agree to provide necessary coverage.

The enzyme replacement therapy is currently the only viable treatment option. The medication she needs to continue to fight, grow, love, and live the life she deserves costs $10,200 per month. This is an impossible cost to take on, but we won’t let her face it alone.

About Anna:

Anna has had more health complications than any one person should have to face in her young life. Ever the strong willed girl we know and love, Anna has never let her medical diagnoses slow her down or get in her way. Despite her physical struggles from prior health challenges coupled with memory loss from ongoing complications, Anna persevered and graduated from Marquette University with honors. Anna finished school while working part time as a Group Facilitator at Healing Hearts of Waukesha County, leading and partaking in fundraisers for children with cancer, and working as a Phlebotomist at the West Allis Medical Center. Anna was accepted into the competitive Physicians Assistant program at Marquette University in May 2024, but had to take a medical leave of absence shortly thereafter to face her most pressing medical challenges yet.

Anna comes from a close and deeply loving family, a large community of caring friends, and countless colleagues and fellow volunteers from her time spent taking care of others. She is endlessly compassionate, truly hilarious, smart and witty, a dedicated Auntie to her two nephews and wise beyond her years. She has fought fearlessly and constantly against every challenge that has come her way, and it is our turn to help her take on her next battle.

Our Goal:

We are humbly requesting any monetary contribution you are able to provide to help cover Anna’s medication needs, with our first goal of $30,000 covering her first 3 months of care. We thank you in advance for your kindness, and deeply appreciate the continued love and prayers for Anna.