Help Amy Get To CA for Treatment!

Amy was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called interstitial cystitis (IC) in 2005. IC is a chronic and incurable disease of the bladder in which the bladder lining is covered in open, bleeding cuts and ulcers and force patients to urinate up to 60 times per day. Since being diagnosed in 2005, she has been battling this awful disease and has gone through every available treatment for her condition. This includes multiple surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and alternative treatments, all of which have failed.

In 2014, Amy underwent surgery to have the Interstim (pacemaker for the bladder) implanted to help regulate her trips to the bathroom. A couple months ago, the Interstim stopped working and Amy has since returned to being in constant pain and having urgency at all hours of the day and night. After a visit with her urologist a couple weeks ago, she was informed there was nothing further that could be done for her and was advised to, "just give up and pray" (after telling her she had 2 IC patients recently commit suicide).

Well, praying is exactly what Amy and all her friends are doing! After extensive research, Amy discovered Dr. Elliot Lander in Rancho Mirage, California. Dr. Lander is an expert in interstitial cystitis and is a pioneer for autologous stem cell technology in IC patients. What this means is that using Amy's own stem cells harvested from her body, the cells go through a closed-system process and are then re-injected to her body and implanted directly into her bladder. The stem cells will then create a new, healthy lining in her bladder, providing much needed relief and possibly even a cure from this painful disease.

Here are just a few facts about IC:

-The pain of IC can be equivalent to that of end stage cancer.

-Some people with IC can't leave their home due to needing to go to the bathroom every 10-15 minutes.

-90% of IC patients also suffer from depression and anxiety as a result of their condition.

-IC patients are 3-4 times more likely to commit suicide than non-IC patients.

As many of Amy's friends and family know, Amy works as the nursery director for Canvas Christian Church where she ministers to children ages birth to five teaching them the word of God. She works very hard to ensure each child is loved and learns about Jesus! Her husband, Chad, is a sergeant with Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and has served the citizens of Forsyth County for over 13 years. As you can imagine, $10, 000 is a lot of money them. Because this cutting-edge treatment is not yet FDA approved, it is not covered by insurance.

Any funds raised will go towards paying for the procedure, travel expenses, medications needed for injections that she will need to take 3 months after the surgery, and to pay for her current medical expenses that she has already incurred just to get to this point. 

Any amount given is greatly appreciated, but Amy and her family also need your continued prayers that this treatment is successful, as it could mean amazing things not only for her, but for other IC patients in the future. Thank you in advance for anything you can do to help!

God Bless!
Kelly Hayworth (Amy's friend)