Michelle McBride's APR 3 Mayo Clinic Appt Fund

Friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

We are Heather Jeancart, Digit Guedo, and Annish Saini, close friends of Michelle McBride. Today, we reach out to you with a plea for compassion and support as we embark on a critical mission to restore the health and well-being of a beloved mother, friend, and educator.

Michelle has advocated and searched relentlessly for a diagnosis and treatment, exhausting specialists and medical care in the prairies. Getting nowhere fast and becoming increasingly concerned, she has been in contact with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota in hopes a diagnosis and treatment can be found. SHE HAS BEEN GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT ON APRIL 3!!

We are determined to raise $30,000 CAD to cover the costs of her consultation, medical tests, and associated expenses.

Michelle's Story

Four years ago, Michelle's life took an unexpected turn when she began experiencing severe abdominal pain accompanied by uncontrollable gastrointestinal issues. Her journey through the healthcare system has been one of referrals and treatments with little to no relief. Despite numerous consultations with specialists, including gastroenterologists, rheumatologists, and gynecologists, and a multitude of tests such as colonoscopies, CT scans, and blood work, the root cause of her symptoms remains elusive.

Michelle's condition has not only caused her physical pain but has also affected her liver, bladder, and even her hands, where she has developed Dupuyren's Contracture, a condition caused by the medication she has had to take for treatment thus far.

Michelle's illness has taken a toll on her ability to be the active parent, friend, and teacher she once was. After over 20 years in education, she had to resign from Sask Rivers Public School Division in Prince Albert and adapt her career to accommodate her health. In doing so, she has lost her benefits, job security and current ability to put away money for a pension.

The Mayo Clinic Opportunity

With local avenues exhausted and her health worsening, Michelle has made the brave decision to seek help from the renowned Mayo Clinic. The hope is to find answers that have eluded her thus far and to finally receive the treatment she desperately needs.

The Cost of Healing

The journey to the Mayo Clinic is a costly one. The estimated expenses include:

Return airfare for Michelle and her mother: $4,000-5,000 CAD

Accommodation and meals for a 5-8 day stay: Variable

Medical tests and consultation fees at the Mayo Clinic: Approximately $19,400 USD ($26,350 CAD)

How You Can Help

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings Michelle one step closer to the possibility of a pain-free life and the ability to fully engage with her children, career and community once again. If the funds raised exceed the costs, Michelle has pledged to donate the surplus to a patient advocacy charity to support others facing similar challenges.

In Gratitude

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering a donation to Michelle's cause. Your kindness and generosity can make a profound difference in her life and the lives of those she touches.

With hope and appreciation,

Heather, Digit, and Annish