Help Rochelle Evens

Rochelle desperately needs our help. For those of you that don't know her, she is a 39 year old single mother to 4 year old Olivia. While Rochelle was pregnant with Olivia, her fiance Nate Hillison was killed in a car accident. She has done an amazing job of raising Olivia, but now she is battling multiple rare and devastating health conditions (detailed below) that have left her struggling to care for her daughter, both physically and financially. She is fighting a major uphill battle, and the future is uncertain.

Most of her days are typically spent at the Mayo Clinic receiving Photopheresis/Chemo treatments and trying to find a miracle cure for her conditions. Rochelle had to take a leave of absence and has not been able to work since December. Now she is on the verge of losing her job all together and she has not yet been approved for long term disability. Right now, Rochelle needs to focus on her health, but her days are also consumed with worry about insurance coverage, how the bills will be paid and how she will take care of Olivia.

Let's all try to relieve some of that burden for her. Anything will help.

Here is Rochelle's story in her own words:

"In March 2017, I developed ulcers in my mouth that failed to respond to antibiotics and antifungals. I was referred to Mayo and they diagnosed me with Paraneoplastic Pemphigus. This was associated with Castlemens Disease (a rare Proliferative Lymphnode disorder). I was very optimistic that once I was under Mayo's care, that I would be fine. However, I was wrong. In June 2017, I had the enlarged lymph node along with the chain of lymph nodes in my lower right abdominal area removed. I handled the surgery well. I returned to work 2 weeks following the surgery. While at work I noticed some spasming in my lungs and felt like I couldn't breathe. I returned to Mayo and they told me that I have another rare condition, Bronchilitas Obliterans. I was and still am devastated. Yesterday, I followed up with my pulmonologist at Mayo and was told that my lung function has diminished to 27%. I am dependent on oxygen upon exertion and while sleeping. I have been told that I should no longer be working. There is no cure, has a poor prognosis and this is so rare that there is no standard treatment. A lung transplant would be an option, however, since I have had Castlemans I was told that I would not qualify for a lung transplant. In addition, lung transplants are highly associated with Bronchilitas Obliterans which is what they say I have. I am scared and heartbroken. My daughter is my whole world and I am hers. She does not deserve to have both her parents taken from her. I am going to do everything I possibly can to get well and live a long happy life with her. Should you happen to know anyone or anything that has helped people heal their lungs please let me know."

I will keep everyone updated on Rochelle's condition as I learn more.

Please keep her and Olivia in your prayers, and help in anyway that you can!