Kim's Medical Expenses

Dear Friends, Family, and whomever may reach this site,

My name is Frank LeRose and I am creating this GoFundMe page because my wife, Kim is suffering greatly each day and we're trying to avoid invasive surgery because it is so dangerous, and may not help.

You see, Kim has severe arthritis and it has all but deteriorated her right knee.  It is a condition most of the women in her family have faced, but it is particularly severe for her.  She is currently walking short distances with a cane, but requires a wheel chair for modest to long distances.  She cannot walk around in the store with our son to go clothes or food shopping for college;  she cannot stand for more than a few moments before the pain becomes so intense she cries out in agony; She will absolutely not be able to dance at Joshua's wedding because it would be too excruciating for her.  And she is only 57 years old....it's far too soon for her to be having these extreme issues.

We have been to doctors about this issue for years, and the only viable solution with which they have come up is Stem Cell Therapy.  You see, the process been used for years with absolutely no side effects...and they won't have to cut into her body and rip out what's left of her knee and replace it with a mechanical device designed to fail eventually.  The doctors simply extract Stem Cells from Kim and put them back in...right at the knee.  They will then regrow her knee and she will be able to walk again, exercise, lose weight, and not have to sit all day, unable to perform simple tasks that we all take for granted.

The problem is that since no drugs or surgery are involved, the FDA considers the procedure to be experimental...even after years of successful treatment.  Insurance will not cover a penny, and since her condition prevents Kim from working, we must live on a single modest Teacher's salary which is spread too thin already.  They need about $8000.00 to do the procedure.  We have hesitated asking for help, but I cannot keep watching her get worse and worse....she is miserable and it colors every part of her life.

I would love to see her be able to do the things she used to do, and not fear so much just to go out to eat dinner, or see a movie, or go to one of Joshua's amazing concerts.  WE certainly want her in the front row when he finally opens at the Met...right?!?!?

There would be no real way to thank everyone who helps us in our time of need...except to repeat, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You...Please don't look down on our request for aid, and look inside to see if you can contribute, even a little...I have 923 Facebook Friends....If they each donate $8.70, this would cover everything!  If they each donated $5.00 That would be more than half of what she needs.

Kim and I have donated to Kickstarter and GoFundMe Programs many times over the years and have seen them do wonders.  In fact, many of them raise far more money that that for which they ask...if this happens, we will research to donate the excess funds to someone else going through their own painful issues.  Please think about it...and tell your friends.  

Thank You.

-Frank