Donate to help Allison fight Aplastic Anemia

Dear Friends and Family,

To start off, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to check out our page. And to keep in mind we are not looking for sympathy, just empathy.

My name is Raelyn Mason and my 28-year-old daughter, Allison Watkins, has been facing a huge challenge. August of 2022, during her second trimester of her pregnancy with her youngest baby, doctors discovered that Allison had extremely low blood counts. After her delivery they were still very low and not rising like they should have. She has undergone several more routine tests to monitor her blood counts, with no successful increase. After all of the testing the past 8 months, Allison was diagnosed with aplastic anemia (AA), a rare life-threatening disease that is caused by bone marrow failure. Allison’s bone marrow stopped producing blood cells; red, white, and platelet cells. Aplastic Anemia can be caused by genetics; however, Allison is one of the lucky 2 in 1 million that has idiopathic aplastic anemia with no known cause.

Allison is a wife and mother to three young children, an auntie, and my beautiful daughter. She is very strong, active and independent. You will generally find her in good spirits, and she always has a smile on her face. Allie has become increasingly weaker and has symptoms that include extensive bruising throughout her body that show up from the slightest touch, exhaustion/fatigue, dizziness and has frequent headaches. Having 3 children all under 5 years old takes its toll on her body.

Treatments such as platelet transfusions, immunosuppressants and stem cell transfusions can help manage her condition, but according to the doctors of western medicine, the only successful cure is a Bone Marrow Transplant. This lifesaving bone marrow transplant is no easy process; it includes testing, donor matching, chemotherapy to kill off all her bone marrow and stem cells in order to receive donor marrow, a 30-day hospital stay and 3 months away from her family while she receives the chemo, and of course after care. Allison has received a second opinion with the same outcome from UW Fred Hutch in Seattle. Her family would have to move there to be close to her for up to 9 months so that she is in close proximity for tests and then while she undergoes extreme chemotherapy and finally the bone marrow transplant. They have already been informed that this is the path that they are looking towards.

Allison and Matt have been researching alternatives to this invasive procedure and are exploring a more natural route that may stimulate stem cell and platelet production. These alternatives include but are not limited to PEMF Therapy, acupuncture, and hyperbaric chamber therapy and other modalities we find to help with the Aplastic Anemia through personal research. While Allison has insurance that may cover some of the costs for the bone marrow transplant, if necessary, there are costs that are not covered and which alternative treatments are not covered at all. The costs they would be looking at during the transplant process are temporary housing, 24/7 care for Allison, and any out-of-pocket medical treatments. While Matt works in a lab, he needs to keep working to support his family and Allison will need extra care, which I try to help every chance I get. With 3 small children, a bone marrow transplant is hard to face. With that being said, we are asking for donations so they can explore these alternatives even if it just buys time before a bone marrow transplant.

Here's how you can help:

Donate: Any amount you can give will help with the medical bills, which include alternative medical devices and procedures, and support her family. Every dollar brings Allison closer to the treatment she needs.

Spread the Word: The more people who know about Allison’s condition, the better. Please share her story far and wide.

Send Warmth: A message, a prayer, or just a thought for Allison and her family can brighten her day. Let her feel the love and strength of a supportive community.

Thank you for being a beacon of hope for Allison and our family during this time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and prayers.