Battling Scleroderma: Support for Dwayne Kellum

Dawn Kellum is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hello, my name is Dawn Martin-Kellum the wife of Dwayne Kellum, my daughter and I are going to be participating in a color walk fundraiser for my husband Dwayne who has been battling an autoimmune disease known as Scleroderma (Diffuse) to help with the cost for his clinical trials, medical research, and medications.

About the Disease
Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease that works by slowly attacking/hardening the skin over the body, because of this it limits circulation to areas of the skin this can then lead to imputation of limbs. This autoimmune disorder affects the skin and internal organs. Scleroderma is a rare disease that cause skin hardening and tightening and can affect blood vessels, organs and the digestives tract. It is an exceedingly rare disease effecting approximately 300,000 people worldwide, of which approximately six thousand are African Americans. There is no cure & doctors only know how to treat symptoms which only gives patients a more comfortable lifestyle.

The Physical Affects on Dwayne’s Mind, Body, and Soul
Dwayne has had massive weight loss because of scleroderma on the gastrointestinal tract. It causes the body to resist absorbing pertinent nutrients required for survival. Dwayne is currently under the doctor’s care and is taking different medications including bi-weekly infusions of supplemental nutrients. Dwayne is struggling eating because of his digestive tract. This autoimmune disease has affected his hands and has quickly spread to his legs, feet, stomach, chest, and face. Dwayne has been to the hospital a countless number of times with complications. Furthermore, this severely impacts his ability to afford things such as medical expenses and research considering this autoimmune disease is still new and currently still in research phases according to the doctors and scientists.

Who is Dwayne?
Dwayne is a wonderful husband and an amazing father to our daughter Dominique who is 9 years old. Dwayne is a “Girl Dad” for sure. Dwayne grew up in the church being his parents were ministry leaders. Dwayne played sports since a young age. Dwayne received a baseball scholarship at California State University of Long Beach. Dwayne became a homeowner providing stability for our family, Dwayne has always loved the outdoors going to church and having barbecues and playing dominoes with family and friends. Dwayne loved going to gym and spending time with me and his daughter and family. Dwayne has been employed over 10 years at his current job where he work remotely from home due to his health. Before Dwayne’s diagnosis's with this horrific autoimmune disease he was a very happy man, very determined, hardworking more importantly healthy and lived a normal life. Dwayne worked two jobs to support his family. He has since quit one of them because of the swelling in his legs. Dwayne has always been strong and will continue to fight.

Conclusion
My heart breaks to watch my husband go through something so cruel as a man with so much love that he gives to me and to all those around him and to see our daughter cuddle with him most nights is very touching. The worst part is he no longer feels well enough to participate in school activities with myself and our daughter. Dwayne now struggles to walk or even get dressed most mornings. This autoimmune disease has affected his body and it has had a massive impact on his mental health. We do understand it takes a village, and Cedars-Sinai offers an environment of clinical and scientific excellence to deliver the most advanced patient-centered care. Cedar Sinai and UCLA medical center doctors specialize in scleroderma and rheumatology. This program will provide alternative medicine, expert advice, as well as hope for Dwayne and our family. Your donation will help with medications and doctor bills due to disease from worsening and make the pain more manageable. We are currently looking to start a clinical trial with Cedar Sinai, here is the link if you would like to read more information.

https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/treating-scleroderma.html

https://www.med.umich.edu/pdf/intmed/scleroderma-foundation-report.pdf

We are hoping to raise money to provide financial aid towards Dwayne clinical research trials for medications in hoping to find a cure. If you can donate as little as one dollar it would make an enormous difference. We are humbled by your donations. Thank you for your prayers and your continued support.