<div>As a parent, asking for help is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I struggled with creating this fundraiser because my daughter wasn't ready for others to know what she's been going through. After many conversations, she agreed that I could share her story with our basketball family—people who have always shown us kindness, support, and love.
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<div>Late last November, our 25-year-old daughter's life changed overnight. She began experiencing problems with her vision and was diagnosed with pink eye—not once, but twice. As her eyesight continued to worsen, we knew something wasn't right.
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<div>Finally, in February, she was referred to a retina specialist, where we learned she has an autoimmune disease that is attacking her eyes. The inflammation has caused scarring in both the front and back of both eyes, with her left eye suffering the most significant vision loss.
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<div>Since February, she has been on powerful steroid treatments in hopes of stopping the inflammation, preventing further damage, and preserving the vision she has left.
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<div>While we've held onto hope and prayed for improvement, this journey has been much more difficult than we ever imagined. At only 25 years old, she is learning to navigate a world that looks very different than it did just months ago. Everyday tasks have become more challenging, and the emotional toll of facing vision loss at such a young age has been overwhelming.
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<div>After meeting with a rheumatologist, the next step was IV infusion therapy in hopes of controlling the autoimmune disease and preventing further damage to her eyesight. We were incredibly hopeful that this would finally be the treatment that could help.
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<div>Unfortunately, during her very first infusion, she developed an allergic reaction, and the treatment had to be stopped immediately.
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<div>Her doctors have now prescribed Humira as the next treatment option. Unfortunately, her insurance has denied coverage for the medication. Her doctors appealed the decision, and the appeal was denied as well.
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<div>Without insurance coverage, we are now faced with trying to pay for this medication ourselves. Even with a GoodRx discount, each Humira pen costs approximately $1,000 out of pocket. 
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<div>This is where we find ourselves today.
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<div>As her parents, it is heartbreaking and incredibly frustrating to know there is a medication her doctors believe can help control the disease attacking her eyes, yet the cost of accessing that treatment has become another obstacle in an already overwhelming journey.
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<div>The urgency is real. Her vision depends on controlling this disease and preventing further damage. We don't want finances or an insurance denial to be the reason our daughter can't receive the treatment her doctors believe she needs.
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<div>So, as difficult as it is for us to do this, we are asking for help.
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<div>Every donation, no matter the amount, will go toward her medication, specialist appointments, ongoing testing, and medical care as we continue fighting to preserve as much of her vision as possible.
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<div>If you're unable to donate, we completely understand. Sharing her story, keeping her in your prayers, and sending encouragement to our family means more than you know.
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<div>Our daughter is only 25 years old. She has so much life ahead of her, and as her parents, we will do everything in our power to help her save her sight.
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<div>Thank you for taking the time to read her story. Thank you for every prayer, every share, every donation, and every person willing to stand beside our family during this journey.
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<div>From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. ❤️
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<div>Joe and Eren 
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Sophia Dragos

Megan Monds

Urgent Help Needed to Save Our Daughter's Vision

Nog $2,700 te gaan. Help ons de vaart erin te houden.