Chad is and has been a very close friend of mine since we were in elementary school.  He has been battling a terrible genetic disease called  Amyloidosis that has taken over 2 years to diagnose properly. Today during his specialist appointment at the Jim Pattinson Pavilion with Dr. Margot Davis, it was confirmed that he has a mutated version of it called “Mutant ATTR (Familial amyloid cardiomyopathy)   This disease is considered rare and treatment is not yet available in Canada.  The drugs to stop the progression are still not approved in Canada but are available through Clinical Trials which Chad is working towards with his doctors.  This disease starts in the liver as a protein, the protein clumps together and form strings which in his case are attaching to his nerves.  This is causing intense pain that does not go away.  The proteins have attached to the nerves in his throat and esophagus causing a constant full feeling in his stomach and a large lump feeling in his throat. This has caused Chad to lose 55 pounds in the last 10 months. Chads heart is also being attacked by the disease and currently has a resting heart rate of 95 bpm. Today his blood pressure was sitting at 168 over 112.   Chads father (Walter Melo) died of this disease when he was 44, (Chad is 43) his uncle (Dave Melo) has had a heart transplant for this and is responding well to medication and is living comfortably in the Central Interior.   I am using this platform in hopes of Chad being able to continue to make the trip to Vancouver from Prince George to see his Cardiologist, Neurologist and get treatment as it becomes available to him.  Chad currently works for Bandstra in their Prince George warehouse, he is at the point where his mobility is limited due to his legs, feet and hands hurting so much from nerve pain and constant dizzy spells from his heart condition.  He has not missed a day of work for this other than for his appointments in Vancouver, the reason being he cannot afford to not be paid for missing days.  I am currently paying for his flights to and from Prince George so he can make his doctor appointments here. He is supporting his family with 4 children and I’m supporting my own family here.  Chad is at the point where he does not want to continue possible treatment as the financial aspect is causing great stress.  If Chad is able to leave his job temporarily, go on Long Term Disability and focus on his health, he would need approx $1200/month to make up for the loss of income.  Flights have averaged $500-700 round trip and accommodations are zero as I take him to appointments and have an extra bedroom.   PLEASE help enable Chad to focus on his health, soon to be recovery and any other treatment available rather than on his day to day grind which is literally killing him.   His kids need their dad and his wife needs her husband.