Support Tan Deepa with Medical Expenses

Friends and family of Tan/Deepa/Shakti have put this fundraiser together to assist with medical costs.

From Kathy & Kaylen :

I’d like for you to meet my friend, Tanushri. Have you ever seen someone smile in a way that starts at their lips and then goes all the way to her eyes? That’s Tan’s smile. And then when she speaks to you, you can *feel* that she genuinely cares about you. I’d love for everyone to have a friend like Tan.

Life has been extremely challenging for Tan. She has been struggling with debilitating autoimmune health conditions for the last several years. Some of the symptoms she faces on a daily basis are joint/muscle pain throughout her body, gastrointestinal issues, severe fatigue and migraines. She's been trying her best to push through these difficult symptoms for years, but it is getting harder and harder to do so as the disease is progressing and severe flare ups are more frequent.

This has had a huge impact on all aspects of her life. It has negatively impacted her relationships, friendships, career, finances, hobbies, lifestyle, mental health, etc. She has lost out on the opportunity to have a family or a career. She is no longer able to care for patients as a nurse, she is unable to travel or volunteer, and she has had to give up most of her hobbies. Even doing simple tasks like cooking, cleaning, and doing dishes is challenging. Some days she is unable to even get out of bed. Some days just walking is excruciatingly painful. Some days she is unable to eat because of stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and gum swelling.

There is an increased rate of depression, anxiety, and suicide that occurs in people with chronic illness, chronic pain, or migraines. Tan has struggled with all three on a daily basis for years. Though she is a very optimistic and positive person this has definitely taken a toll on her mental health. It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you've been suffering for so long.

She has not been able to get the medical care needed, as in the conventional setting treatments aim to mask symptoms rather than get to the root cause. The medications prescribed were never a cure, and now they no longer work to even mask the symptoms and the side effects are not tolerable. She is hoping to try a new treatment that has helped many people with similar conditions. The treatment is immune modulating and aims to get to the root of the issue, training your immune system to function better. However, it is unfortunately not covered by insurance, hence the need to raise funds.

The funds raised would be used for 2-3 years of immune modulating treatment (≈$35K), travel to and from the clinic (located in Wisconsin), lodging, medication, supplements and stem cell therapy (≈$20K-30K) that will be needed for joint/tissue damage repair.

Tan is very private and independent, she doesn't like to ask for help or be a burden to anyone. But at this point, the situation is very bleak, so we must do something. She is a humble person, living a very modest life and she is in need of assistance.

Tan has such a beautiful spirit, she is so gifted, thoughtful, and empathetic. Over the years, she has been such a blessing to us, and now it's our turn to try to be a blessing to her. Would you consider joining us in supporting and bringing hope of healing to this beautiful soul?

Feel free to donate directly to her if you want to avoid the fees with this platform.

Gratefully yours, Kathy Shepard & Kaylen Steele

(Friends from Florida, known each other for 7 years)

From Dana:

If you have met Deepa, I am sure that you have been touched by her bright light and kind heart. You've probably noticed her physical and energetic beauty. Perhaps you have danced with her or she's given you her empathetic ear. Wherever Deepa goes, she shows up with such a loving presence and joy that many of us do not know that she is actually intensely suffering. Many of us don't realize the amount of courage, strength, grit, and effort it takes for her to get through each day.

It is difficult to witness a dear friend suffer in such a debilitating way. Thankfully, there is a new treatment that gives Deepa and her body some hope of healing. The only alternative to her not getting this treatment is more pain and suffering. That is not an alternative we want for her nor one that she deserves.

Investing in Deepa's healing is a valuable investment as she is a gift to us all. She is worthy of living without debilitating symptoms and we are loving in our support of her healing. Let us come together in community to support our friend. Please consider donating to this worthy cause. Her healing helps us all heal.

In appreciation, Dana McMullen

(Friend from New Mexico, known each other for 1.5 years)

From Amar (Labu):

My cousin Deepa, who is a little sister to me, has been suffering from debilitating chronic health problems for more than a decade. Several years ago, when the disease was still in the early stages, Deepa and I climbed a mountain in Colorado together. I was amazed at how she zipped up to the top like a cheetah, despite having no climbing experience. She lived her life like she climbed that day - a spontaneous free-spirit who happily enjoyed the experiences life threw her way.

It breaks my heart that today the same Deepa has to struggle just to get through her day. Over time, the illness has ravaged her body to the point where even simple things - things the rest of us take for granted - has become excruciating. Debilitating musculoskeletal pain has forced Deepa to give up her job as a clinical nurse. Arthritis and severe fatigue prevents her from partaking in her hobbies. When migraines are triggered she has to stay in a dark, quiet room until it resolves, which can take days or even weeks for severe episodes. Severe food sensitivities and allergies keep her from enjoying even a simple meal or hangout with friends. Not only is she unable to do the things that once brought her a sense of purpose and joy but every day simple tasks are extremely challenging. As you might guess, these restrictions and isolation have taken a toll on her mental health as well.

No one should have to live like this, especially someone like her. Deepa is a gem of a human being, with an authentic kindness and a carefree simplicity that leaves an impression on anyone that meets her. She dropped her career for a couple years to be a nanny to her newborn niece, if that tells you anything. She taught yoga in parks and homeless shelters for free. She volunteered in orphanages all over the world. Deepa literally has no wants in life other than to live her life peacefully and to help others.

Treatments for chronic health problems and disabilities are very expensive, and unfortunately many are not covered by insurance. Over the years, Deepa has spent thousands of dollars managing her symptoms, and she desperately needs a long term solution. This year she discovered a new therapy that targets immune system function thus eliminating autoimmunity and inflammation. She will need to follow up with stem cell therapy to help repair the years of damage.

Let’s help Deepa with her treatment, and give her a chance at a life without debilitating pain. She has spent many of the prime years of her life fighting this illness, and she hopes to have a life where she can somewhat function and meet her basic needs. Whatever you can give will go a long way towards helping her, both financially and mentally. Your support gives her hope and means a lot to her. Thank you so much.

With gratitude, Amar "Labu" Basu (Cousin)