Over the past two decades Katrina Blank has invested in the lives of thousands of students. Would you consider investing in her so she can continue on with medical treatment? Would you help Katrina Unlock LIFE After Africa by contributing $20, $50, $100, or $1,000? See Sept 2020 update for the latest... 
See Sept 2020 Update for the Latest! (Recent Updates have NOT been woven into the content below.)

Aug 2019 UPDATE: A Disability Hearing date has been set for Dec 4th, 2019. Hurrah! A favorable decision would mean financial relief by Spring 2020. Would you help carry Katrina (Galatians 6:2) between now and then? Her financial concerns are a far heavier burden to carry than her actual health complications.

February 2020 UPDATE:
The Awesome: Cerebrospinal Fluid leak myelogram imaging was finally approved for February 25 after warring to find a way to be properly evaluated since August 2018. If a leak is a found, it can be patched, likely curing my chronic migraine pain.
The Awful: Social Security Disability benefit delays (applied Oct 2017), due to a SS paid doc disagreeing with the judge & my UCLA and U o of M specialists regarding the life-limiting nature of my post-malaria health complications. This means another hearing has been scheduled for this June, and the earliest I'd potentially receive financial relief is Fall 2020.

March 2020 UPDATE:
Hurrah! A CSF leak was spotted by the neuroradiologist in my MR myelogram at Cedars Sinai. A digital subtraction myelogram with a spinal tap and anesthesia is scheduled for March 31. A blood patch procedure will likely be scheduled in April. News of a CSF leak also means the SS doc's testimony might be thrown out. Please pray for the judge to be willing to forgo the June hearing and to finalize his decision notice this spring rather than this summer. I'll be preparing a report for the judge this month for consideration. Please pray for strength and endurance as I work on it, and for favor with the judge as he reads through it.

What's a CSF leak? Here 2 min cartoon explanation: 


*If you would, please also pray for complete resolution of my elevated TGF-B1 levels. There's a medicine known to help, but I need additional funding to start on the 6 month course. Until we correct my TGF-B1 levels, I'll likely continue to battle chronic fatigue and connective tissue disease-like issues, such as weakened dura around my spinal cord. The malaria ignited a fuse in my body through a process called endothelial activation, damaging my endothelial cells and resulting in extracellular matrix dysfunction. 

Workers’ Comp assistance by the end of *2019 (Update *2021) [no longer] appears promising  - unless Campus Crusade leadership steps in to confront the lies of the lawyer representing them - but in the interim, she needs our help. 

If you're interested in learning more, here's her story: 

SECTION 1: My Health Journey
SECTION 2: Why CIRS Treatment?
SECTION 3: Why Go Fund Me? This is me being vulnerable...
SECTION 4: What about Campus Crusade? Why aren’t they helping? 

If you’ve been tracking Katrina's journey for some time, perhaps skip down to the third section. 

1: MY HEALTH JOURNEY

7 years ago I fell ill on a work trip to Uganda.

When I told my doctor I think I picked something up in Africa, rather than recommending a panel of tropical disease tests, he recommended a therapist, suggesting my symptoms were psychosomatic rather than parasitic. 

As a result, a two-year p vivax malaria infection (likely low density, hence afebrile) and probable four-year schistosomiasis haematobium infection set off a cascade of inflammation in my body. 

Recently my new neurosurgeon validated my suspicion: the malaria’s hemozoin likely caused the accelerated growth rate of my brain tumor. Some meningiomas remain stagnant, while those that grow typically do so 1 to 2 mm a year. My meningioma grew 5 mm in 6 months, 5 to 10 times faster than what is standard, making brain surgery pressing, as the tumor pressed into my vision fibers. Thankfully I didn’t lose my ability to see, as my neurosurgeon cautioned me was a very real possibility, when he removed the 3.2 cm mass in November 2015.

Not only have I been diagnosed with brain tumor since falling ill in Africa in 2012, but also with CIRS, ME/CFS, POTS, Chronic Migraine, Asthma, Tinnitus, Bruxism (gnashing of teeth), and MGUS. MGUS is a precancerous condition for bone marrow cancer. In 2017 researchers discovered malarial toxins can burrow their way into bone marrow and persist after parasitic clearance, causing bone inflammation. I often pray Ezekiel 37 - that my bones might come to life again, that I might come to LIFE again.

2: WHY CIRS TREATMENT? 

Recently my hematologist confirmed the CIRS/biotoxin treatment path I started down has already proven to be successful by resolving my MGUS. The threat of bone marrow cancer is gone! MGUS isn’t supposed to have a cure, so truly, this is remarkable!

(*August 2019 UPDATE: Unfortunately, my MGUS resurfaced in May 2019. Though considered asymptomatic and not the cause of my symptoms, I'll need to continue monitor my MGUS to make sure it doesn't progress to Multiple Myeloma. The good news is, CIRS treatment did resolve my C4a inflammatory marker. In Spring 2018 my levels were elevated to over 17,000; my C4a is now in the normal range, at 903. Hurrah! My TGF-B1, on the other hand, is still elevated and contributing to my ongoing symptom complex. I flew back to Michigan on May 25, to stay with my parents as I continue treatment trials. I completed CIRS treatment mid-summer, which truly, was a critical step in my health journey.)

However, I haven’t been able to continue with CIRS treatment due to lack of funding. I’m still living a zombie-like existence, comparable to a never-ending hangover, where the more I do, the worse I feel following. I battle flu-like fatigue of varying degrees on a daily basis, and had 21 migraine days, just in January.  

Starting on the next step of treatment (addressing low ADH induced dehydration) requires close monitoring. My CIRS physician in South Pasadena told me he wouldn’t start me on the medication (desmopressin) unless I promised to stay close by in CA, rather than returning to Michigan - again - to save on rent.

The CIRS treatment path is based on scientific research with lab markers to guide the way, as opposed to the seemingly random trial and error of medications offered to me by my other doctors. I’ve trialed over two dozen treatments already, and have grown weary of that method and the adverse side effects. With CIRS treatment already unexpectedly resolving my precancerous MGUS condition, I do believe continuing down this path is well worth pursuing. 

3: WHY GO FUND ME?

Several years ago I tweeted, “Asking for help isn't shameful, it's Biblical... and so may we carry each other's burdens and in doing so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2” 

Yet I still find it difficult to be vulnerable, and to admit, “I can’t to do this on my own.” I’ve cashed in all my retirement, utilized my good credit to take out a loan, and creatively worked with credit cards to keep going. I still haven’t landed on a medication regimen that will allow me to return to even part-time work, and it’s a two-year wait for a disability hearing. 

Several sermons ago Erwin McManus spoke out against the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” philosophy embraced by many Americans. He read Ephesians 1:18-19: "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." 

Erwin pointed out Scripture specifically states, the riches of God’s inheritance are found “in his people.” Not only do we need God, we need each other, and often times our prayers to God are answered through others.

Believe me, I like it far better when God simply lays it on people’s hearts to give. Nearly a dozen friends have amazed me by financially blessing me over the past 7 years. Without me asking, they handed me cash or checks. While many others have treated me to meals, hosted me in their homes, or sent me encouraging messages. I’m beyond grateful for the generosity extended by so many people!

Sometimes God mysteriously moves hearts. Other times He asks us to play a part, and communicate our need, giving others the opportunity to respond to it. 

And so here I am, still struggling in a sea of raging waters, flailing my arms and crying out for help. Would you consider helping me stay afloat? 

4: WHAT ABOUT CAMPUS CRUSADE? 

I feel this is important to mention because WE can do better in this area, and I know some of you are in positions where YOU can make a difference. 

When I fell ill on my work trip to Uganda, The King’s College was under the umbrella of Campus Crusade for Christ International and their insurance policies. To my heartbreak, Cru’s leadership (i.e. John Rogers and Steve Douglass) denied my appeal for financial relief, such as a 0% interest benevolence loan to be repaid in full once my workers’ compensation claim resolves. 

(I’ve been plugging away at this claim for nearly 5 years. Though Cru’s insurance rep assured me it was possible to simply accept my claim, they’ve decided to force numerous hearings instead, delaying a final ruling by the New York Workers’ Compensation judge.)

I appealed to Cru’s leadership from their own ECFA’s accountability standards. Standard 1 specifies organizations “shall operate in accordance with biblical truths and practices” and Standard 4 states “in conformity with applicable laws and regulations, such conformity taking into account biblical mandates.” However, my pleas for any type of financial assistance were denied, and an ECFA representative explained to me that organizations interpret and apply these standards differently. 

Per the parable of the Good Samaritan, this baffles me. A Campus Crusade pre-trip training worksheet I received claimed, “The highest priority is not the ministry work. It is the health and safety of all the team members.”

In my journey I’ve learned that we, as a nation, are woefully neglecting veterans (especially those with Gulf War Illness) and Peace Corps Volunteers who have returned to the US with comparable, complex health issues. For those of my friends in influential spaces, may we strive to do better in caring for those who have lost their health as a result of service. 

On that note, I’ll leave you with this Scripture: 

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?" That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. Romans 15:1-6 (MSG)