Paige Knight - Mayo Clinic Expenses

Paige Knight of Nepean, Ontario, is 14 years old and has  been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). POTS patients often have hypovolemia (low blood volume) and high levels of plasma norepinephrine while standing, reflecting increased sympathetic nervous system activation. Approximately 50% of POTS patients have a small fiber neuropathy that impacts their sudomotor nerves. Many POTS patients also experience fatigue, headaches, lightheadedness, heart palpitations, exercise intolerance, nausea, diminished concentration, tremulousness (shaking), syncope (fainting), coldness or pain in the extremities, chest pain and shortness of breath.  POTS may be so severe that even normal everyday activities usually taken for granted such as bathing or walking may be severely limited.  Paige falls into this category; she has been out of school since March, 2017, and is basically bed-ridden.

Paige has been accepted into a 4 week out-patient  treatment program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnestota.  She is scheduled to start her program on January 17th, 2018.  This treatment will not cure her of POTS; rather, it will provide her with tools and methods of coping with the chronic pain that she has to the point where she is able to slowly re-engage in normal daily activities, such as attending school and exercise. 

While the $42K USD cost of the program is covered by the Ontario provincial medical service, the costs of flights, meals and accomodations for Paige and her Mum Shelly are not.  This fundraising campaign is to assist with the costs associated with Paige's treatment.  Any amount that  you can contribute will be gratefully received.