Help Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Atkinson Fight Rare Castleman Disease

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Supporters,

Our daughter Elizabeth—known affectionately as Lizzy—is courageously battling Castleman disease, a rare and potentially life-threatening illness affecting the lymphatic system. Castleman disease is so uncommon that only about 14.7 out of every 100,000 Americans are diagnosed, making Lizzy's journey especially challenging.

After more than a year of uncertainty, countless medical visits, extensive testing, and a significant emotional and financial toll, we finally received a definitive diagnosis. Lizzy's condition required specialized care, leading us to the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) and the expertise of Dr. Brandstadter at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, Texas regulations prevent virtual visits with out-of-state physicians, necessitating multiple costly trips to Philadelphia for diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and ongoing care.

To date, Lizzy has traveled five times to Philadelphia, undergoing numerous tests, scans, consultations, and surgery to remove 13 lymph nodes. These journeys brought unexpected expenses, including flights, lodging, meals, and transportation. Each visit has added significantly to the financial burden already incurred during our initial search for answers.

This spring, Lizzy requires a sixth trip for crucial testing to determine if she is in remission. Additionally, she urgently needs a special scan costing approximately $2,400 before her visit, vital for evaluating her progress.

Elizabeth also bravely manages other medical conditions—Hypermobility Syndrome and Hashimoto's Disease—necessitating ongoing treatments, medication, acupuncture, massage therapy, and supplements, further adding to our family’s medical costs.

Complicating our situation, Lizzy's mother—my wife—recently battled breast cancer, resulting in additional hospitalizations and increased financial strain for our family.

We humbly invite you to support Elizabeth's fight by contributing to this GoFundMe campaign. Your donations will directly cover past and future medical expenses, specialized scans, and critical travel costs. We kindly ask supporters to prayerfully consider suggested dollar amounts of $25, $50, $100, or more, if they are able. Every contribution, regardless of size, profoundly impacts Lizzy's journey toward healing and provides tangible relief during this challenging time. Additionally, please share Elizabeth's story on your social media accounts; spreading the word is crucial for the success of this campaign.

Above all, we deeply appreciate your continued prayers. We firmly believe God is our ultimate healer and provider, and we place our faith and hope in His hands.

From our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and prayers.

With deepest gratitude,

Tim Atkinson & Family

For more information about Castleman Disease, please visit: Castleman Disease Collaborative Network