The Fight Isn't Over for Montez Hilliard
Donation protected
This is the hardest thing we will ever do…. our family is in need of your help! Montez Hilliard, a man with a heart that encompasses anyone in need, family, community, worldly issues and simply anything that will uplift and encourage us all to persevere even in times of his own adversity, has been put on a road of his own personal journey.
A 39-year-old husband, father, son, friend, brother, farmer, photographer and more to his community, a 2006 Claflin University Alumnus, and devoted tried-and-true faithful Lambda Sigma Chapter Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, who has been helping wherever there was a need, and never complained. May of 2017, Montez felt minor changes in his daily physical routine. He and his wife, Chelsea, began searching for a diagnosis to explain his limitations. They sought out every avenue they could think of and on June 13, 2018 the news became a turning point for us all, a man of faith, determination and a lot of love for all who know him, had to put his own life in perspective. Scleroderma (hard skin), or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. This disease affects the connective tissue in the skin, esophagus, gastrointestinal tract (stomach and bowels), lungs, kidneys, heart and other internal organs. It can also affect blood vessels, muscles and joints. The tissues of involved organs become hard and fibrous, causing them to function less efficiently.
Although his movements suffer, he continues to produce his daily routine as best he can. He goes to work, continues being a friend, father and source of positive energy although limited and in pain at times. He currently experiences Raynaud’s Disease which is part of the process of the disease which also includes sensitivity and pain in his hands, swelling throughout his body and interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension. He has been on a maximum medication regiment for almost three years with no relief and has been denied other clinical trials along the way.
With that said and plenty of prayer, an opportunity has presented itself in that he has recently become a candidate for a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to be performed at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina. They will remove his stem cells, clean them, then put them back in his system once he has completed a program of intense chemotherapy and radiation which will reset his immune system. HSCT has seen some very positive results, but it is an aggressive treatment that is more toxic than other SCTs. This means it comes with high short and long-term risks and complications. These include: an increased, long-term risk of developing infections. We are remaining positive that Montez will beat this disease. Although this is not a complete cure it is effective in stopping the progression of the disease, placing him in remission and removing the possibility of it coming back.
The Stem Cell Transplant is very expensive to the tune of $400,000 for the transplant alone, and does not include the cost of medication and relocation of $100,000.00. HSCT will take he and his wife, who will assume the role as his caregiver, away from their son and family support for approximately four (4) months (October 2021 – February 2022) missing birthdays, and family holidays. During that time, they will not be able to work, as they will be relocating to North Carolina during his treatment. Steps have been taken to make sure their home remains intact; he and his wife have taken on several income generating efforts. Therefore, all funds generated from your generous donations will go entirely towards medical and living expenses incurred on his medical journey. We appreciate any donations as we prepare to embark on this race back to health to help get Montez back to his life and family…. pain free!
Thank you in advance for your generosity and we ask for your prayers and positive energy during this very difficult time. Please share our story where ever you can.
Eloise K Brown
Chelsea A.K. Hilliard
A 39-year-old husband, father, son, friend, brother, farmer, photographer and more to his community, a 2006 Claflin University Alumnus, and devoted tried-and-true faithful Lambda Sigma Chapter Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, who has been helping wherever there was a need, and never complained. May of 2017, Montez felt minor changes in his daily physical routine. He and his wife, Chelsea, began searching for a diagnosis to explain his limitations. They sought out every avenue they could think of and on June 13, 2018 the news became a turning point for us all, a man of faith, determination and a lot of love for all who know him, had to put his own life in perspective. Scleroderma (hard skin), or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. This disease affects the connective tissue in the skin, esophagus, gastrointestinal tract (stomach and bowels), lungs, kidneys, heart and other internal organs. It can also affect blood vessels, muscles and joints. The tissues of involved organs become hard and fibrous, causing them to function less efficiently.
Although his movements suffer, he continues to produce his daily routine as best he can. He goes to work, continues being a friend, father and source of positive energy although limited and in pain at times. He currently experiences Raynaud’s Disease which is part of the process of the disease which also includes sensitivity and pain in his hands, swelling throughout his body and interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension. He has been on a maximum medication regiment for almost three years with no relief and has been denied other clinical trials along the way.
With that said and plenty of prayer, an opportunity has presented itself in that he has recently become a candidate for a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to be performed at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina. They will remove his stem cells, clean them, then put them back in his system once he has completed a program of intense chemotherapy and radiation which will reset his immune system. HSCT has seen some very positive results, but it is an aggressive treatment that is more toxic than other SCTs. This means it comes with high short and long-term risks and complications. These include: an increased, long-term risk of developing infections. We are remaining positive that Montez will beat this disease. Although this is not a complete cure it is effective in stopping the progression of the disease, placing him in remission and removing the possibility of it coming back.
The Stem Cell Transplant is very expensive to the tune of $400,000 for the transplant alone, and does not include the cost of medication and relocation of $100,000.00. HSCT will take he and his wife, who will assume the role as his caregiver, away from their son and family support for approximately four (4) months (October 2021 – February 2022) missing birthdays, and family holidays. During that time, they will not be able to work, as they will be relocating to North Carolina during his treatment. Steps have been taken to make sure their home remains intact; he and his wife have taken on several income generating efforts. Therefore, all funds generated from your generous donations will go entirely towards medical and living expenses incurred on his medical journey. We appreciate any donations as we prepare to embark on this race back to health to help get Montez back to his life and family…. pain free!
Thank you in advance for your generosity and we ask for your prayers and positive energy during this very difficult time. Please share our story where ever you can.
Eloise K Brown
Chelsea A.K. Hilliard
Organizer
Eloise Hancock-Brown
Organizer
Orangeburg, SC
