Support Kim Melino's Fight Against NMO

Please help Kim fight NMO

HI, I am Abby Dawson a co-worker and friend of Kim Melino, and I am here to ask for your support while Kim is currently fighting NMO.

Kim is currently in the hospital receiving treatment for NMO, Neuromyelitis Optica which is a rare auto immune disease that causes a variety of symptoms. In Kim’s case NMO caused pain and loss of vision in both eyes, caused from inflammation to the optic nerve.

This started about a month ago with minor vision issues. She made an appointment with an ophthalmologist and was given a new prescription for glasses and sent away with the recommendation that she return and schedule a visit to have her eyes dilated. She tried her glasses and they didn’t seem to improve her vision at all. In a very short period of time her vision progressively got worse. She feared something more serious was going on. She has been on the search for answers with many different doctors and facilities, finally ending at Yale. After several MRI’s, a lower lumbar puncture (spinal tap) and countless labs and other tests, the doctors were able to give her the diagnosis.

The first round of treatment consisted of heavy doses of steroids administered intravenously. Unfortunately, with that treatment there weren’t any signs of improvement. She has started a new treatment which consists of plasma infusions/exchange. In this procedure, some blood is removed from the body, and blood cells are mechanically separated from fluid called plasma. The blood cells are mixed with a replacement solution and the blood is returned to the body. This process can remove harmful substances and cleanse the blood.

There are still a lot of unknowns for Kim and what the next steps in treatment and recovery will be. She is currently unable to work and has exhausted her PTO in her search for answers. That is why we are asking for help. With all the unknown obstacles/treatments ahead to be able to help financially and give a little bit of security may give her some added peace of mind.

Any donation big or small will make a huge difference. Please share with your network to help us reach our goals.