Alissa's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Update August 10, 2016
Alissa's infusions have been going well and she has been feeling a bit better lately. However she is unfortunately back in the hospital with an unknown infection, causing high fever and chills. It will take some time to narrow down what kind of infection Alissa has. She had recently switched to injectable chemotherapy, which leaves her immunocompromised and not able to fight off viruses or infections. Alissa and her family could use some support at this time due to the influx in hospital bills. Prayers are greatly appreciated. Alissa sends her love to all of those who have reached out and supported her through this hard battle she has been facing.
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Alissa Rose was a regular student in her junior year at the University of San Diego. She thrived in Kappa Delta Sorority, loved her work-study job at the Student Leadership and Involvement Center, and enjoyed her internship at a Southeast San Diego Elementary School, working with underprivileged ESL students.
On a normal holiday break home from college, Alissa suddenly came down with flu-like symptoms, which quickly was ruled out as her internal organs started to deteriorate and shut down. After many agonizing months of hospitalizations and countless blood tests, scans, and visits to specialists, Alissa was finally diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
SLE Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own immune system and affects the kidneys, lungs, and most other organs.
This diagnosis delivered a real blow to Alissa, who already suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Scoliosis (with an previous Anterior Spinal Fusion surgery), Fibromyalgia, and Arthritis.
Because of her illnesses, Alissa was dealt a severe setback medically and financially. After taking a medical leave of absence, doctors informed her she would not be able to return to the University of San Diego. Now Alissa is fighting a new fight to fulfill her lifelong dream of finishing college, something her parents were never able to do.
Even throughout this grusome burden, Alissa has continued to take online classes and keep up with as much as she can. In fact, she is on track to graduate this coming December with an Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, and she plans to get a Master's Degree in Public Health. She strives to educate others about diseases such as Lupus.
I've been blessed to have known Alissa since freshman year at USD. She is one of the greatest friends anyone can have the opportunity of getting to know. I have started this campaign in an effort to raise money for Alissa Rose to pay her medical bills and continue to pursue her education. Any contribution will greatly help Alissa and her family as they battle through the seemingly neverending peril. Your kind words alone mean the world to her and neither Alissa, her family, nor I can thank you enough for your generosity.
"I am not what has happened to me, I am what I choose to become" -CG Jung
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UPDATE Feb 24
Alissa has failed all of the other medications for lupus. The next course of action is to add IV infusions to her already existing oral chemotherapy medication. On Monday morning, she had surgery to implant a port catheter into her chest. This will allow her to receive the monthly infusions of the very expensive and costly new drug, Benlysta. The port catheter was necessary because all of Alissa's veins are collapsed and scarred from years of chronic illness.
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On Wednesday March 2nd, Alissa started IV infusions of the medication Benlysta at the UCLA hematology/oncology center. She tolerated the first infusion well through her port catheter, and her doctors are hopeful that Benlysta will help control some of her symptoms. Benlysta is costly, so Alissa and her family are more grateful than ever for the continued donations.
UPDATE May 4, 2016
Alissa posted the following message on her Facebook page:
So excited to say that my Benlysta infusions are starting to work! I have had a decrease in pain, and my bloodwork is showing positive signs of improvement. It's not a cure, but it's a positive step in the right direction! I've been so grateful to use the money from https://www.gofundme.com/alissarose for my copayments, prescriptions, supplements, and towards my school payments. I'm also excited to report that I'm on track to graduate this December as well! Thank you to all my friends and family for the support
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Alissa's infusions have been going well and she has been feeling a bit better lately. However she is unfortunately back in the hospital with an unknown infection, causing high fever and chills. It will take some time to narrow down what kind of infection Alissa has. She had recently switched to injectable chemotherapy, which leaves her immunocompromised and not able to fight off viruses or infections. Alissa and her family could use some support at this time due to the influx in hospital bills. Prayers are greatly appreciated. Alissa sends her love to all of those who have reached out and supported her through this hard battle she has been facing.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Alissa Rose was a regular student in her junior year at the University of San Diego. She thrived in Kappa Delta Sorority, loved her work-study job at the Student Leadership and Involvement Center, and enjoyed her internship at a Southeast San Diego Elementary School, working with underprivileged ESL students.
On a normal holiday break home from college, Alissa suddenly came down with flu-like symptoms, which quickly was ruled out as her internal organs started to deteriorate and shut down. After many agonizing months of hospitalizations and countless blood tests, scans, and visits to specialists, Alissa was finally diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
SLE Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own immune system and affects the kidneys, lungs, and most other organs.
This diagnosis delivered a real blow to Alissa, who already suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Scoliosis (with an previous Anterior Spinal Fusion surgery), Fibromyalgia, and Arthritis.
Because of her illnesses, Alissa was dealt a severe setback medically and financially. After taking a medical leave of absence, doctors informed her she would not be able to return to the University of San Diego. Now Alissa is fighting a new fight to fulfill her lifelong dream of finishing college, something her parents were never able to do.
Even throughout this grusome burden, Alissa has continued to take online classes and keep up with as much as she can. In fact, she is on track to graduate this coming December with an Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, and she plans to get a Master's Degree in Public Health. She strives to educate others about diseases such as Lupus.
I've been blessed to have known Alissa since freshman year at USD. She is one of the greatest friends anyone can have the opportunity of getting to know. I have started this campaign in an effort to raise money for Alissa Rose to pay her medical bills and continue to pursue her education. Any contribution will greatly help Alissa and her family as they battle through the seemingly neverending peril. Your kind words alone mean the world to her and neither Alissa, her family, nor I can thank you enough for your generosity.
"I am not what has happened to me, I am what I choose to become" -CG Jung
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UPDATE Feb 24
Alissa has failed all of the other medications for lupus. The next course of action is to add IV infusions to her already existing oral chemotherapy medication. On Monday morning, she had surgery to implant a port catheter into her chest. This will allow her to receive the monthly infusions of the very expensive and costly new drug, Benlysta. The port catheter was necessary because all of Alissa's veins are collapsed and scarred from years of chronic illness.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------On Wednesday March 2nd, Alissa started IV infusions of the medication Benlysta at the UCLA hematology/oncology center. She tolerated the first infusion well through her port catheter, and her doctors are hopeful that Benlysta will help control some of her symptoms. Benlysta is costly, so Alissa and her family are more grateful than ever for the continued donations.
UPDATE May 4, 2016
Alissa posted the following message on her Facebook page:
So excited to say that my Benlysta infusions are starting to work! I have had a decrease in pain, and my bloodwork is showing positive signs of improvement. It's not a cure, but it's a positive step in the right direction! I've been so grateful to use the money from https://www.gofundme.com/alissarose for my copayments, prescriptions, supplements, and towards my school payments. I'm also excited to report that I'm on track to graduate this December as well! Thank you to all my friends and family for the support
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Organizer and beneficiary
Christine Walsh
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Alissa Rose
Beneficiary