Jason Karr

Christina is my best friend and biggest cheerleader. She is the most selfless person I have ever met, always putting others above herself. She has a way of encouraging everyone she meets, even when she’s the one facing unimaginable challenges. As a devoted mother and partner, Christina has taught me what faith truly means and has shaped me into the person I am today, all while enduring more than most people can imagine. Over the past several years, Christina has battled severe, life-threatening health issues. She faces multiple autoimmune conditions that have caused organ damage, a genetic immune deficiency that requires lifelong IV treatment, and has survived several strokes caused by brain artery dissections. She has also required multiple blood transfusions and iron infusions due to ongoing blood loss. Now, she needs urgent surgery at UVA to remove a mass in her colon. Christina has had several masses removed before, but this time is more serious as she needs more and more infusions, and this procedure is essential for her health. We must travel for this critical procedure, and the costs are mounting quickly, especially with the surgery scheduled so soon. Christina has had multiple hospital admissions back to back, fighting sepsis. While nurses are supposed to be tending to her, most of them leave feeling a touch from God because she always encourages and takes time to thank her nurses. Whether in the hospital or at home, I’ve watched countless times as she ministers to people like only a follower of Christ can. I love her more today than ever before, and while we wait for her body to get the memo that she is healed, we are so thankful for all God always does through her in the middle of where most fall apart. The funds raised will help us cover travel to and from Charlottesville, lodging before and after surgery, food, and any remaining medical bills not covered by insurance. We are also hoping to have enough to hire someone to help with cleaning the house, as my list of responsibilities after 24-hour shifts at the fire station is overwhelming, and our daughter Riley is balancing school, cosmetology school, work, and church involvement. Christina is on daily IV home health and therapy, and the financial burden is overwhelming. Any support—whether it’s a donation, a prayer, or sharing our story—means more to us than words can express. Thank you for standing with us and helping Christina through this critical step toward healing.

Our family has been walking through one of the hardest medical battles we’ve ever faced. Christina has been hospitalized for weeks, fighting complication after complication, and we are humbly asking for help as she continues this exhausting and frightening journey. A Body That Can’t Fight Infection Christina lives with **Primary Immune Deficiency**, meaning her body cannot fight infection like most people can. Even a “simple” infection can become dangerous — and this time, it turned into bacteremia, a serious infection that entered her bloodstream. She was immediately placed on strong IV antibiotics. One of those antibiotics, Doxycycline, caused severe reactions: • burning through her veins • flushing, itching, hives • systemic reactions requiring Benadryl, steroids, and Pepcid • repeated IV failures Even with treatment, the reactions were intense and dangerous. Christina also has a history of multiple spontaneous artery dissections — life-threatening tears in her arteries that make every medical decision more complicated and high-risk. Addison’s Disease: A Constant Life-Threatening Risk On top of everything else, Christina has Addison’s Disease, meaning her body cannot produce cortisol. When levels drop too low, she enters an Addisonian crisis — causing dangerously low blood pressure, vomiting, shaking, and severe abdominal pain. She had multiple near-crisis episodes during this hospital stay. Two Surgeries While Fighting Infection Because the infection spread through her bloodstream, doctors had to remove the likely source: her mediport. Christina underwent two surgeries back-to-back: 1. Removal of the infected port 2. Placement of a new port once the infection began to stabilize These surgeries, while septic and adrenal-unstable, took a tremendous toll on her already fragile body. IV Failures, Pain, and Endless Procedures Without a port, Christina had to rely on peripheral IVs — and her veins simply cannot handle them. She went through nine IVs, many requiring ultrasound guidance. Most infiltrated, causing: • severe burning • swelling and bruising • nerve pain • treatment interruptions Combined with her reactions to the medications, every infusion became a battle. Emotional Weight & Long Nights Not every shift brought compassion, and some nurses added stress when she was already fighting to stay stable. Thankfully, management eventually intervened and placed her in better hands. Throughout this stay, Christina has endured: • nights of shaking, sweating, and dropping blood pressure • adrenal instability • medication reactions • relentless pain and exhaustion She spent Thanksgiving in a hospital bed, fighting to stay out of crisis. What She’s Fighting Right Now * Primary Immune Deficiency * Bacteremia (bloodstream infection) * Severe reactions to IV antibiotics * Two mediport surgeries * Addison’s disease + adrenal crisis risk * History of spontaneous artery dissections * Repeated failed IVs and painful infiltrations * Systemic medication reactions * Exhaustion, trauma, anxiety, and financial strain Through all of this, she refuses to give up Why We Are Asking for Help This medical journey has created overwhelming financial strain for our family: • hospital bills • missed work • travel and food costs • long inpatient stays • ongoing treatment needs We simply cannot carry this alone. Your support — no matter the amount — helps us focus on Christina’s healing rather than the crushing weight of medical and financial stress. Thank you for your love, generosity, and prayers. We are deeply, deeply grateful.