Supporting Andria's Fight Against Complex Rare Conditions

Hi everyone,

I have always considered myself someone who experiences rare things in life.

First, I found a rare love with Richelle that has lasted 20 years and has continued to grow through every challenge we’ve faced. Second, as a chef, I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream and open my neighborhood bakery, Sweet Patricia’s.

The third rare thing, unfortunately, is my health.

This final rarity has completely turned our lives upside down. A little over a year ago, when my health problems first appeared, we had to make the devastating decision to permanently close the doors to Sweet Patricia's so I could focus 100% of my energy on surviving. While losing the shop hurts deeply, I will be forever grateful for that opportunity and the beautiful community we created together.

What started as a few confusing symptoms has evolved into a "perfect storm" of medical challenges. After months of biopsies, intensive testing, and specialist visits, my medical reality has become an intricate battle on multiple fronts.

Here is where my health stands today:

• Lymphoma: A cancer of the lymphatic system. Wonderful news: it is currently in a remission phase! While this is an incredible milestone, I still require rigorous, ongoing oncological monitoring to keep it there.

• C3G (Complement 3 Glomerulopathy): A rare, chronic kidney disease that forces my kidneys to struggle and lose vital protein. Protecting my remaining kidney function while managing my other treatments remains a delicate balancing act.

• Breast Vasculitis: An extremely rare inflammation of the blood vessels that adds severe pain and immense complexity to my daily care plan.

• Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS): Diagnosed just a few months ago, this chronic, autoinflammatory skin condition causes deeply painful, recurring nodules. It has introduced a whole new layer of severe physical pain and daily management to an already exhausted body.

How My Medical Care Works: Savannah & Emory University

Because my conditions are so rare and deeply interconnected, managing them requires a high level of specialized coordination. I have a full medical team here in Savannah that handles my hands-on care, but they are completely directed and managed by the experts at Emory University in Atlanta.

Safely treating HS and vasculitis while fiercely protecting my kidneys from C3G and keeping my lymphoma in remission requires me to travel to Atlanta for specialized checkups and critical evaluations. Emory directs the playbook, and my local team carries it out.

The Reality of the Financial Road Ahead

While we are incredibly lucky to have loved ones we can stay with when traveling to Atlanta, the hidden financial costs of managing a multi-front medical crisis have brought us to a breaking point.

We are currently trapped in a very difficult financial gap:

• The Insurance Gap: I currently only have Medicare. While it covers 80% of my treatment, the remaining 20% out-of-pocket costs are astronomical given the sheer volume of specialist visits, advanced labs, complex imaging, and surgeries I have had to undergo.

• The Disability Waiting Period: I applied for disability in November of last year and am still stuck in the processing system. We have finally reached the final stage and are expecting a decision by the end of the year, but surviving the final stretch of this waiting period without an income is incredibly challenging.

• No State Aid: We do not qualify for any state assistance. Richelle’s income is just barely over the strict state limit—yet it is nowhere near enough to fully support our household AND cover the mountain of extra medical expenses this crisis has created.

Your generous donations will go directly toward:

• The 20% Medicare Gap: Paying down the mounting medical bills, co-pays, and uncovered laboratory costs.

• Travel to Atlanta: Fueling the 4+ hour round-trips from Savannah to Atlanta for critical Emory checkups.

• Daily Household Survival: Helping keep our household afloat and our basic bills paid until my disability decision comes through.

How You Can Stand With Us

If you are able to donate, please know that no amount is too small. Every dollar directly funds the gas in our tank and helps us bridge the gap during a time when we are entirely on our own with these medical bills.

If you cannot give financially, sharing this link on Facebook or Instagram is an incredible way to help us reach more people. I am a fierce fighter, but even the strongest fighters need a team behind them. Thank you for being a vital part of our team.

With all our love and gratitude,

Andria and Richelle