This is Tristan. Me along with some other friends are raising money to help this amazing child. Tristan is the son of my best friend, Kristina. He is a kind, old soul trapped in a 8-year-old body. He is witty and loves school (especially math and reading), playing soccer, and spending time with his siblings. Tristan is battling a disease that is not well understood and problematic to treat, PANS/PANDAS. PANS/PANDAS is a devastating condition that has turned Tristan and his family's world upside down. Since his diagnosis in March 2024 I have watched his mom fight and advocate for the treatments he needs to get better, expensive treatments insurance won't cover.

Tristan's battle with PANS/PANDAS began when he contracted strep throat which led to a sudden and dramatic onset of symptoms, including severe anxiety, vocal and motor tics, emotional instability, and a decline in academic and social functioning. These symptoms have significantly impacted his daily life. Since the onset of this disease, he no longer enjoys school and struggles to do the things he once loved. This disease and the necessary treatments make it difficult for him to participate in school, enjoy time with friends, and experience the carefree childhood he deserves.

Specialists for this disease are not common, so his mom frequently drives to other cities and even out of state to seek treatment. Since his diagnosis he has had surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids along with starting IVIG therapy. There are some treatment options such as additional IVIG therapy, high-oxygen therapy, peptide injections, and twice-weekly glutathione IVs that hold promise to alleviate some or all of his symptoms. Tristan's care team also continues to explore other treatment options to help cure him. With most of these treatment options either not covered by insurance or are cash only, his family is quickly running out of funds to pay for his continued medical care. Please contribute anything you can to help his mom pay for the medical care this kind, sweet boy needs to recover. We all want our babies to be happy and healthy. Please help Tristan to win his battle with PANS/PANDAS. Thank you.

A little more about PANS/PANDAS:

Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) occur after an infection, most commonly a strep infection. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells causing brain inflammation, leading to autoimmune processes that affect central nervous system function. An affected child generally has a sudden, dramatic change in personality, displayed as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, tics or other abnormal movements, personality changes, decline in math and handwriting abilities, sensory sensitivities, restrictive eating and more.

You can learn more about this debilitating disease by visiting The PANDAS Network at https://pandasnetwork.org/understanding-pandas/