Hope Donald

Help a 54-Year-Old Woman Continue Her Fight Against Lupus & Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Three years ago, life changed in ways I never could have imagined. I am currently battling Lupus SLE and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease — two autoimmune diseases that have changed the way I live and move through each day. What once felt normal is now unpredictable. Some days I can function almost independently, while other days are filled with exhaustion, severe pain, inflammation, brain fog, and the emotional toll that comes with chronic illness. I am doing everything I can to remain self-sufficient, but the financial burden of chronic illness is becoming overwhelming. Some of my medications cost as much as my monthly mortgage payment. There are months where I am forced to choose between paying for necessary medications, paying for private medical insurance, or keeping up with basic living expenses. No one should have to decide between treatment and survival, but that has become my reality. This fundraiser will help cover: - Essential medications and treatment costs - Private medical insurance premiums - Doctor and specialist visits - Existing medical debt - Mortgage and household utilities during difficult health periods - Transportation and car payments needed to continue working and attending appointments Living with autoimmune disease means constantly adapting to a body and a future that can change overnight. It is physically exhausting and emotionally draining, but I continue to fight every single day to preserve my health, my home, and my independence. If you are able to donate, share, or simply keep me in your thoughts, it would mean more than words can express. Every contribution — no matter the size — helps relieve a little of the pressure and allows me to focus on what matters most: staying healthy enough to keep going. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for your compassion, and for your support during one of the most difficult chapters of my life.