I am writing this on behalf of my sister-in-law, Mary, and her family.

On February 26th, Mary was diagnosed with acquired hemophilia after weeks of worsening symptoms and uncertainty that began in early January. Acquired hemophilia is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the body’s ability to clot blood properly. It is extremely uncommon, with only about 1 to 1.5 new cases per million people each year.

Even before this diagnosis, Mary and her family had already been facing serious challenges. At the end of June 2025, she was laid off from work and was about to undergo knee surgery. After months of working hard to recover and regain her strength, she had just started a new job when this medical crisis quickly turned serious. Just four days into that new job, she was admitted to the hospital for the first time.

After that first stay, a hematologist contacted the family with urgent concerns, and they immediately took her to another hospital, where she was admitted and finally diagnosed with acquired hemophilia. Although the diagnosis was devastating, finally having answers meant treatment could begin.

Since then, Mary has been hospitalized four times for a total of over 30 days. What began as a serious medical emergency has turned into a long, exhausting, and deeply uncertain journey. Her treatment has also led to additional complications. During her most recent hospitalization, her kidneys began to fail, and she soon had to begin dialysis.

There have been moments of hope, followed by painful setbacks and new complications, making this battle much longer and harder than anyone expected. Mary has endured repeated hospital stays, long periods of bed rest because of the risk of bruising and internal bleeding, and growing challenges with mobility and recovery. Between hospital stays, more rounds of physical and occupational therapy have had to be added. While we are grateful for every small sign of progress, we still do not know whether she is fully in the clear. Time will tell, and the road ahead remains uncertain.

Through it all, Mary has continued to fight with strength and courage. She remains the devoted mother, wife, family member, and friend she has always been. Even in the middle of fear, pain, and uncertainty, she continues to show incredible determination and heart.

This has also been deeply difficult for her family, including her two teenage children, one in 8th grade and one in 11th grade, who are doing their best to stay strong while watching their mother go through this long and painful battle.

As her sister-in-law, I have seen how overwhelming this journey has been for all of them. It is very difficult news to share, but I have also seen how much strength comes from the love, prayers, and support of others. Your kindness, encouragement, and prayers mean more than words can express as Mary and her family continue this fight.

Along with the emotional toll, this journey has created a growing financial burden. Because of her knee surgery, followed by this sudden and serious illness, their family has now been without Mary's full income for close to ten months. Although they have health insurance that helps cover much of her care, there are still many expenses that are not covered. The repeated hospital stays, ongoing treatments, follow-up care, and everyday household and living expenses have all added to the strain.

Donations will help with uncovered medical bills, insurance copayments, other treatment-related expenses, travel to and from hospitals and appointments, and essential household and living expenses.

We are hoping to raise $40,000 to help ease some of these burdens and allow their family to focus more fully on Mary's care, healing, and recovery.

If you are able, please consider donating. Any amount, big or small, will make a meaningful difference for Mary and her family during this incredibly difficult time. If you are not in a position to donate, we ask that you please keep her in your thoughts and prayers and share this page with others.

We will continue to post updates here as we are able. Thank you for your kindness, support, love, and prayers.

With gratitude,

Cathleen

Mary’s sister-in-law

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April 4, 2026: OLD VERSION

I am writing this as Mary’s sister-in-law, on behalf of Mary and her family.

On February 26th, Mary was diagnosed with acquired hemophilia after weeks of worsening symptoms and uncertainty that began in early January. Acquired hemophilia is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the body’s ability to clot blood properly. It is extremely uncommon, with only about 1 to 1.5 new cases per million people each year.

Even before this diagnosis, Mary and her family had already been facing serious challenges. At the end of June 2025, she was laid off from work and was about to undergo knee surgery. After months of working hard to recover and regain her strength, she had just started a new job when this medical crisis quickly turned serious. Just four days into that new job, she was admitted to the hospital for the first time.

After that first stay, a hematologist contacted the family with urgent concerns, and they immediately took her to another hospital, where she was admitted and finally diagnosed with acquired hemophilia. Although the diagnosis was devastating, finally having answers meant treatment could begin.

Since then, Mary has been hospitalized four times for a total of over 30 days. What began as a serious medical emergency has turned into a long, exhausting, and deeply uncertain journey. Her treatment has also led to additional complications. During her most recent hospitalization, her kidneys began to fail, and she soon had to begin dialysis.

There have been moments of hope, followed by painful setbacks and new complications, making this battle much longer and harder than anyone expected. Mary has endured repeated hospital stays, long periods of bed rest because of the risk of bruising and internal bleeding, and growing challenges with mobility and recovery. Between hospital stays, more rounds of physical and occupational therapy have had to be added. While we are grateful for every small sign of progress, we still do not know whether she is fully in the clear. Time will tell, and the road ahead remains uncertain.

Through it all, Mary has continued to fight with strength and courage. She remains the devoted mother, wife, family member, and friend she has always been. Even in the middle of fear, pain, and uncertainty, she continues to show incredible determination and heart.

This has also been deeply difficult for her family, including her two teenage children, one in 8th grade and one in 11th grade, who are doing their best to stay strong while watching their mother go through this long and painful battle.

As her sister-in-law, I have seen how overwhelming this journey has been for all of them. It is very difficult news to share, but I have also seen how much strength comes from the love, prayers, and support of others. Your kindness, encouragement, and prayers mean more than words can express as Mary and her family continue this fight.

Along with the emotional toll, this journey has created a growing financial burden. Because of her knee surgery, followed by this sudden and serious illness, their family has now been without Mary's full income for close to ten months. Although they have health insurance that helps cover much of her care, there are still many expenses that are not covered. The repeated hospital stays, ongoing treatments, follow-up care, and everyday household and living expenses have all added to the strain.

Donations will help with uncovered medical bills, insurance copayments, other treatment-related expenses, travel to and from hospitals and appointments, household bills, and essential living expenses.

We are hoping to raise $50,000 to help ease some of these burdens and allow their family to focus more fully on Mary's care, healing, and recovery.

If you are able, please consider donating. Any amount, big or small, will make a meaningful difference for Mary and her family during this incredibly difficult time. If you are not in a position to donate, we ask that you please keep her in your thoughts and prayers and share this page with others.

We will continue to post updates here as we are able. Thank you for your kindness, support, love, and prayers.