Hello world,

My name is Nadia, meet my best friend, Margo. In February of 2022, Margo was diagnosed with covid-19 and experienced severe complications. A tumor shortly after was discovered on her heart that was causing her respiratory failure, night sweats, severe swelling threw out her entire body and liquid in her lungs. This a very lethal cocktail for any human being especially all at once. Her entire body was swollen rapidly she gained 50lbs she could not eat, sleep or breathe. She underwent several biopsies on the tumor which sits directly on top of her heart. Doctors convinced her she had cancer however, all biopsies came back inconclusive. Months later specialist at La Jolla Scripps diagnosed her with a rare disease known as Castleman disease.

Castleman disease is best described as an autoimmune disease and cancer. 1 in 3 people die within 5 years. Castleman disease causes your immune system to attack and shut down vital organs such as the liver, heart and kidneys. Castleman disease has a similar number of patients diagnosed each year compared to ALS. Treatment is available but does not work for many patients. Castleman disease currently has no cure.

Margo is the strongest most relentless, fearless woman I know. Even in the face of death, she pushes forward with all her strength as her body shuts down and fails her. She makes a positive in every situation life is throwing at her. I have witnessed this all firsthand threw daily face times, doctor visits threw out this difficult time. There were some days, I feared she would not answer my call the next day, things were so bad I did not know how anyone could survive that so I prayed.

Luckily Margo has done well with the treatment. The treatment is excruciating weekly blood draws accompanied by weekly Chemo shots directly into her stomach as well. Her veins have ruptured so she now requires a port in her chest to continue with treatment. The port is currently pending and awaiting insurance approval. Margo has been blessed to be at her job for over 20 years. However, her employer has now decided to longer pay their portion of the insurance now costing her a total of $800 a month on a cobra plan. Also because it is a new year she has been hit with a4,000 deductible. Insurance will cover 80% of treatment after the minimum is met! Time is of the essence she can not afford to switch insurances at this time with an existing health condition and pending treatment.

Not once has she asked for help nor will she is so independent. So I ask that you help me spread awareness of this disease and shine some light and love margo's way. All funds are a blessing small or big, all are welcome and appreciated. The money will be used to help her get ahead on payments for her health and insurance, medical bills, and medications that are adding up.

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this. I hope you find room in your heart to help her. Many of us are facing difficult times with inflation and our rocky economy but even $1 can still go a long way.