Pat's Medical Expenses

Hi, I'm Tim, a teacher, youth director, and father of two little girls. I am on here asking for help with medical expenses for my daughters' uncle; my brother Pat. About 6 years ago he began to suffer from interconnected autoimmune problems. It started with severe food allergies (which have only gotten worse) and has come to include almost daily allergic outbreaks, a diagnosis of Grave's Disease (a thyroid condition that led to the removal of his thyroid and parathyroid glands), and severe gastro-intestinal problems with both his stomach and colon.  As a result of his conditions, he has been unable to work for several years and has been unable to get approved for disability.
This past summer he was finally referred to a GI Disease specialist at the University of Washington in Seattle. After a nearly 6 month wait, he has gotten an appointment for December 21st. Part of the expenses that he needs help with are travel and lodging expenses for being away from home for this appointment. He has a potential follow-up appointment and possibly surgery depending on the outcome of the initial appointment and does not know how long the stay will be. My parents will also be going with him as he cannot drive himself in his current health. With his appointment fast approaching, the sooner he can get funds for travel the better.
After seeing multiple allergy specialists, the only idea they have for treatment is an injection, Xolair, that costs $3000 per administration and is not covered by his insurance. He has already asked for special consideration from his insurance provider and from the company that manufactures the injection, and has not yet had success. I am hoping this will help to fund the initial injection to find out if it is an effective treatment for his allergies. If it is, it would greatly improve his quality of life. 
It has been difficult to see my brother, who has always been a very active person, have to sit on the sidelines in the past several years instead of getting out and enjoying life. Like me, he is a lover of the outdoors, but the last time we tried to go on a hike together, it was cut short because his body could not handle it. Please consider helping my brother regain a measure of his health through this campaign. I would be so grateful to see my brother be healthy and able to do the things he loves once again.