Fund for Amanda's Medical Costs
Donation protected
I have amazing friends, including a devoted mom, Maxine Rossman, and her super-talented daughter, Amanda Rossman.
Amanda is 28 and she is sick. After a steady decline in health, over several years, her Hematologist / Oncologist became suspicious of a rare form of Cancer. Test results sent her through the UNC Cancer Center system, resulting in good news – no Cancer. But Amanda remains ill and incapacitated, without a definitive diagnosis. The doctors simply say that she has “a severely impaired and malfunctioning immune system.” (Our immune systems are made up of special cells, proteins, tissues, and organs – all of which are failing her. I think that’s FAR from simple.)
Over the past year, Amanda has developed chronic atopic eye disease and an inflammatory condition called Uveitis, which can only be treated with massive doses of drugs that have previously caused steroid-induced Glaucoma. In addition, her doctors have discovered a gene anomaly indicating a high probability of another co-existing auto-immune disease, requiring MORE testing, and an additional treatment.
Think about it – years of chronic pain, physical symptoms, and isolation, now combined with the possibility of going blind at an early age. Ahead of her are more rounds of blood tests and scans. Her stress level is sky high. She is becoming more and more depressed. Hopeless.
Amanda’s health continues to deteriorate because she is living in an area (the Outer Banks of NC) that will not allow her immune system to function properly. Our coastal environment is plagued with moisture and mold, and weird allergy-inducing things, which isn’t a big deal for a healthy body. At one point, she was living in a hotel, hoping for the best. My husband and I invited Amanda to live with us, to see if our house would be more hospitable. After floor to ceiling scrubbing, dehumidifiers and HEPA filters, she lasted just 2 months. Her specialists feel that her only hope is a dry and moderate climate, like Utah.
How do you move when you are buried in debt? How do you heal when your own body is rejecting itself? Secondary skin infections come from things as common as a band aid. Can’t eat, can’t breathe, can’t go outside, can’t stay inside, can’t use this product, or that one…
Amanda needs an allergen-free environment that includes all hard surface flooring, whole house filtration, and no residue from past pets or smoke… all factors that make the finding suitable and affordable housing across the country near impossible.
Maxine has supported Amanda while she has been unable to work these past three years – food, shelter, love and companionship, and THOUSANDS of dollars in insurance premiums, co-pays, deductibles, and countless medications that continue to make her sick. Maxine has worked hard her whole life. She never asks anyone for anything, but is always the first to reach out a helping hand to others. Years ago, I heard her say, “If everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot.” She lives that. I try and live that, too. Let’s show her that it works.
The next round of expenses will deplete their resources. They have reluctantly agreed to let me share their story. They need help paying for deductibles, uncovered expenses associated with testing and treatments, and Amanda’s relocation. She desperately needs to begin healing and regaining her independence.
When she’s feeling better, Amanda wants to volunteer to help others navigate the health care system. As they have often discussed, they know they cannot be the only ones trapped in such a bleak situation.
On days that she is able, Amanda makes incredible ceramic art. For each contribution of $50 or more, she would love to send you a ceramic ornament so you will remember her gratitude.
Please consider making a donation to this fund, and sharing her story. I know that Amanda and Maxine will be most grateful. So will I.
Thanks for opening your heart to friends in need.
Colleen Almoney
Amanda is 28 and she is sick. After a steady decline in health, over several years, her Hematologist / Oncologist became suspicious of a rare form of Cancer. Test results sent her through the UNC Cancer Center system, resulting in good news – no Cancer. But Amanda remains ill and incapacitated, without a definitive diagnosis. The doctors simply say that she has “a severely impaired and malfunctioning immune system.” (Our immune systems are made up of special cells, proteins, tissues, and organs – all of which are failing her. I think that’s FAR from simple.)
Over the past year, Amanda has developed chronic atopic eye disease and an inflammatory condition called Uveitis, which can only be treated with massive doses of drugs that have previously caused steroid-induced Glaucoma. In addition, her doctors have discovered a gene anomaly indicating a high probability of another co-existing auto-immune disease, requiring MORE testing, and an additional treatment.
Think about it – years of chronic pain, physical symptoms, and isolation, now combined with the possibility of going blind at an early age. Ahead of her are more rounds of blood tests and scans. Her stress level is sky high. She is becoming more and more depressed. Hopeless.
Amanda’s health continues to deteriorate because she is living in an area (the Outer Banks of NC) that will not allow her immune system to function properly. Our coastal environment is plagued with moisture and mold, and weird allergy-inducing things, which isn’t a big deal for a healthy body. At one point, she was living in a hotel, hoping for the best. My husband and I invited Amanda to live with us, to see if our house would be more hospitable. After floor to ceiling scrubbing, dehumidifiers and HEPA filters, she lasted just 2 months. Her specialists feel that her only hope is a dry and moderate climate, like Utah.
How do you move when you are buried in debt? How do you heal when your own body is rejecting itself? Secondary skin infections come from things as common as a band aid. Can’t eat, can’t breathe, can’t go outside, can’t stay inside, can’t use this product, or that one…
Amanda needs an allergen-free environment that includes all hard surface flooring, whole house filtration, and no residue from past pets or smoke… all factors that make the finding suitable and affordable housing across the country near impossible.
Maxine has supported Amanda while she has been unable to work these past three years – food, shelter, love and companionship, and THOUSANDS of dollars in insurance premiums, co-pays, deductibles, and countless medications that continue to make her sick. Maxine has worked hard her whole life. She never asks anyone for anything, but is always the first to reach out a helping hand to others. Years ago, I heard her say, “If everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot.” She lives that. I try and live that, too. Let’s show her that it works.
The next round of expenses will deplete their resources. They have reluctantly agreed to let me share their story. They need help paying for deductibles, uncovered expenses associated with testing and treatments, and Amanda’s relocation. She desperately needs to begin healing and regaining her independence.
When she’s feeling better, Amanda wants to volunteer to help others navigate the health care system. As they have often discussed, they know they cannot be the only ones trapped in such a bleak situation.
On days that she is able, Amanda makes incredible ceramic art. For each contribution of $50 or more, she would love to send you a ceramic ornament so you will remember her gratitude.
Please consider making a donation to this fund, and sharing her story. I know that Amanda and Maxine will be most grateful. So will I.
Thanks for opening your heart to friends in need.
Colleen Almoney
Organizer and beneficiary
Colleen Almoney
Organizer
Nags Head, NC
Maxine Rossman
Beneficiary
