Urgent Help for Katherine's Medical Treatment

Hi, my name is Katherine Bryan, and I am having some awful medical issues that are causing me to lose my eyesight and causing a lot of pain. I have three autoimmune diseases, and one of them is called Giant Cell Arteritis. It is attacking my temporal arteries on both sides of my face. My doctor can't get a pulse in either one of them, and it is causing damage to both of my eyes, which will be irreversible soon without infusions of a powerful medication called Actemra that I have to have at least once a week by infusion. My immune system has to be shut down to stop my body from attacking itself. The cost is very high. My insurance covers part of it, but the copay for each infusion is $723.00. I am a 66-year-old senior on a very fixed income, and this is an impossible amount for me. My rheumatologist said that I needed to start this six weeks ago but haven't been able to because the cost is so far out of reach. I have to reach a maximum out-of-pocket amount of $5000 before my insurance will kick in fully. The whole process is going to start over again after the first of the year, so I will have to again meet the maximum out-of-pocket of $5600.00 in January to continue treatment.

But currently, I am trying to raise the amount which I need to start getting my infusions as soon as possible, which is $5000. I am in terrible pain from all of the inflammation in my body, and my chances of having a stroke or heart attack are heavily increased because I have developed diabetes, from all of this too. I am currently on a massive dose of prednisone at 60 mg. daily which is very dangerous. It is temporarily the only thing I can do until I get the infusions. I am a mom of six adult children and grandmother to one grandson and not quite ready to leave them all yet. If there is any amount that you could contribute, I would be so grateful. I awaken each day dreading opening my eyes in case my vision is gone. Sharing this post is also an another way to help and I would be very appreciative of that too, if not able to make a donation. Thank you for reading this and possibly contributing to my cause.