Support Alayah’s Journey with HS Awareness

Hi everyone! My name is Alayah Collins and I am a HS warrior. This week is awareness week for HS, and I would like to share my story. I am 19 years old and suffer from a autoimmune disease called Hidradenitis Suppurativa. It’s a skin disease that affects the sweat glands and causes infection in the groin,butt, and armpit areas of the body. I’ve been battling with this disease for almost 3 years now, and it became serious when I went into septic shock in the summer of 2018 due to infections. Thankfully, I recovered without any issues. My journey has been extremely crazy because I’ve had over 20 procedures, numerous infusions, and 4 failed immunosuppressant trials. The disease has compromised my immune system and changed my daily life and normalcy. I would like to use my voice and this platform to advocate for those like me who are dealing with issues similar to mine. I am a fighter and I’ve learned so many lessons while dealing with this disease. It’s only made me stronger. Dealing with this disease has only shined light on how little experimentation and information there is on the condition. Doctors have not found a cure for it , and have treated it with antibiotics and rheumatoid medications. There is no specific treatment for this disease and it’s been trial and error ever since the beginning of my diagnosis. I want to raise awareness for people like me and show others that they can get through this and whatever you are going through. I am greater than my disease and I am stronger than the pain I have endured and the setbacks it has caused me. I have managed to graduate from highschool and attend college despite spending practically several months in the hospital. I give all honor and glory to God. I am unable to work at this time. I have set up a gofundme to defer some of my medical bills, supplies, required home healthcare and other miscellaneous medical expenses. Please share if you can and spread the awareness. Thank you in advance for your contribution and prayers.