Tammy Jackson Retinitis Pigmentosa
Donation protected
In 2015 I suddenly noticed that my vision was not as good as it had been. I worked evening shift as a Respiratory Therapist in a busy trauma center in Charleston, SC and realized that driving home in the dark was suddenly difficult. I had trouble seeing the monitors and reading charts. A visit to my Ophthalmologist determined that I have Retinitis Pigmentosis, a degenerative retinal disease that is causing me to lose my peripheral vision, the ability to see at night and eventually render me blind. I was caught off guard by this diagnosis and to learn there is no cure. This is an inherited disease and my then 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with a form of it as well.
In 2016 I had to leave the career I loved because I could no longer drive at night and provide life saving treatments on critically ill patients. Glasses and traditional treatments will not help this condition. If left untreated I will eventually lose most if not all of my vision. I have lost much of my peripheral vision already and can not manage in the dark without assistance. My right eye has almost lost all central vision and what remains is cloudy.
There is an ongoing clinical study being conducted that will accept me as a patient but the treatments are not covered by my health insurance. The out of pocket costs for this stem cell treatment amounts to almost $20,000 for both eyes. Additionally there is the cost of staying in Florida for a week and time off of work for me and my husband, Lee. The ongoing results of patients with this treatment show much improved vision over a 6 month period after treatment and the vision remains stable. Any help provided to me will not only improve my vision , but make this treatment available to my daughter in future years and will also provide awareness of this debilitating disease.
Please consider helping me reach this goal by making even a small donation and sharing my story through your social media accounts.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Tammy Jackson
In 2016 I had to leave the career I loved because I could no longer drive at night and provide life saving treatments on critically ill patients. Glasses and traditional treatments will not help this condition. If left untreated I will eventually lose most if not all of my vision. I have lost much of my peripheral vision already and can not manage in the dark without assistance. My right eye has almost lost all central vision and what remains is cloudy.
There is an ongoing clinical study being conducted that will accept me as a patient but the treatments are not covered by my health insurance. The out of pocket costs for this stem cell treatment amounts to almost $20,000 for both eyes. Additionally there is the cost of staying in Florida for a week and time off of work for me and my husband, Lee. The ongoing results of patients with this treatment show much improved vision over a 6 month period after treatment and the vision remains stable. Any help provided to me will not only improve my vision , but make this treatment available to my daughter in future years and will also provide awareness of this debilitating disease.
Please consider helping me reach this goal by making even a small donation and sharing my story through your social media accounts.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Tammy Jackson
Organizer and beneficiary
Fran Duncan Ellington
Organizer
Orangeburg, SC
Tammy Gray Jackson
Beneficiary