Help Volya Fight a Rare Autoimmune Disease

Three years ago, Volya was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare autoimmune disease, which attacks and destroys protein that holds skin cells together. In the first year after an acute episode, she went through countless ER visits, brutal IV Steroids treatments and had to fly to Belarus for a hemodialysis course. Most of the initial costs got covered with funds from the last campaigns; thank you so much for your help!

The disease, unfortunately, is refractory (almost unresponsive to treatment). Conventional immunosuppressive therapy and atomic doses of steroids gave very mild positive effects and had horrible side effects with gradual organ failure. Therefore, doctors decided to initiate Ahmed’s protocol: burn all white B-cells to the bone marrow with bio-chemotherapy, then use supportive chemo until cells regrow in hopes that new blood-buddies will finally decide to behave and wouldn’t want to kill themselves. The therapy is not only hard on the body, but it is also extremely expensive, landing at about 25K per month. Thankfully, insurance covers the major part of it; however, there was a hiccup when treatment didn’t get covered last December. After prolonged negotiations, there was about $5,000 left to be paid, plus there are $5,000 out-of-pocket payments to the insurance (not including costs of supportive meds) for the year of 2022.

We don’t know when there will be remission or even if there will be one. But until there’s even the slightest chance for recovery, Volya will kick, grind, and move forward, even if it’s just an inch at a time.

If you would like to assist with covering the cost of this therapy as well as some of the piling medical bills, any donation would be greatly appreciated. All funds raised will go directly to Volya's medical costs and related expenses. On behalf of Volya, her closest friends, and family I appreciate your support, prayers, and sharing of this GoFundMe page. Thank you!