Hannah's Treatment Fund
Donation protected
I am Hannah's sister, Haley, and while she would never even imagine asking for help, I know she needs it so I'm bringing you her story. Hannah is one of the most affectionate individuals you could ever know. She’s our Indigo girl, hugger extraordinaire, back scratcher, giggle buddy, and peacemaker. Hannah returned home early in December 2015 from serving an LDS mission in Georgia due to sudden health concerns. After multiple blood tests it was confirmed that she contracted Lyme Disease while in Georgia.
Lyme is transmitted by the bite of an infected insect, which we can now identify occurred from mosquitos at a service project that she participated in for two days while in The South. The bacterium travels through the bloodstream, establishes itself in various body tissues and can cause many symptoms, some severe. Lyme manifests itself as a multisystem inflammatory disease that spreads to the joints, heart, and nervous system (Stages 1 and 2), other organ systems in its later, disseminated stage (Stage 3). Because of the rate of disease progression, individual response to treatment varies from one patient to the next. Some patients may have symptoms that linger for months or even years following treatment. In some instances, Lyme can cause permanent damage.
The cure rate decreases the longer treatment is delayed. Hannah is already in Stage 2 and the next step for treatment on her program is UBI (Ultraviolet Blood Irrigation) to clear this bacteria from her blood system so it stops affecting other tissues and organs. Treatment can be challenging because you don’t know how your body will accept it nor how much of it you need. The longer we delay, the less likely her chances are of a quick and full recovery. In stage 3, your organs can be irreparably damaged and start to shut down. She’s already had expenses for doctor visits, a myriad of blood tests, and various diet and supplement regimens that have been depleting her savings so the only thing stopping her now is proving the ability to cover UBI prior to starting treatment.
We realize it is a lot to ask, but anything helps and will significantly ease the burden of financial stress in addition to the medical trauma. It's a dibilitating disease and we want our Hannah back. More than anything we ask you for prayers and thank you for your acceptance of Hannah returning home. All the outreach has been a sublime support. It has been a rough realization but we know God is in the details. We love you all.
Lyme is transmitted by the bite of an infected insect, which we can now identify occurred from mosquitos at a service project that she participated in for two days while in The South. The bacterium travels through the bloodstream, establishes itself in various body tissues and can cause many symptoms, some severe. Lyme manifests itself as a multisystem inflammatory disease that spreads to the joints, heart, and nervous system (Stages 1 and 2), other organ systems in its later, disseminated stage (Stage 3). Because of the rate of disease progression, individual response to treatment varies from one patient to the next. Some patients may have symptoms that linger for months or even years following treatment. In some instances, Lyme can cause permanent damage.
The cure rate decreases the longer treatment is delayed. Hannah is already in Stage 2 and the next step for treatment on her program is UBI (Ultraviolet Blood Irrigation) to clear this bacteria from her blood system so it stops affecting other tissues and organs. Treatment can be challenging because you don’t know how your body will accept it nor how much of it you need. The longer we delay, the less likely her chances are of a quick and full recovery. In stage 3, your organs can be irreparably damaged and start to shut down. She’s already had expenses for doctor visits, a myriad of blood tests, and various diet and supplement regimens that have been depleting her savings so the only thing stopping her now is proving the ability to cover UBI prior to starting treatment.
We realize it is a lot to ask, but anything helps and will significantly ease the burden of financial stress in addition to the medical trauma. It's a dibilitating disease and we want our Hannah back. More than anything we ask you for prayers and thank you for your acceptance of Hannah returning home. All the outreach has been a sublime support. It has been a rough realization but we know God is in the details. We love you all.
Organizer and beneficiary
Haley Merkley
Organizer
Orem, UT
Hannah Felton
Beneficiary