Help McLain overcome his allergies
Donation protected
This is McLain. He's 7 years old. I'm raising money to cover his life-saving allergy treatment at Southern California Food Allergy Institute because it isn't covered by insurance. McLain was born 4 weeks after his daddy (my husband) died suddenly and unexpectedly of a throat abscess. He is my only child and the light of my life. Unfortunately, he has a problem with his immune system and his body sees everything as a threat: environment, food, bacteria, viruses, etc. His immune system didn't develop properly (unknown cause) and it isn't producing something called immunglobulin G (igG), which is a type of antibody that protects you against infection. In addition, his body over-produces immunoglobulin E (igE), which causes an allergic response, to basically everything.
He has life-threatening allergies to milk, eggs, peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, sesame, cashew, pistachio, walnuts, chestnuts, shellfish, and fish. He's already had 3 reactions that caused his airway to close, systemic shock, the use of an Epi-Pen and hospitalizations before he was 3 years old!!!
Before his treatment program at Southern California Food Allergy Institute, he was having reactions to pretty much everything. His diagnosis explains all of the random hives, itchy mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, belly aches, eczema, and rashes that seemed to occur for no reason. Let me be clear.... this happened every day in some combination or another. As sweet and happy as he is, he is constantly suffering due to these allergies.
What we know so far:
He will never outgrow these allergies on his own.
His body *should* produce igG on its own by 10 years of age.
His treatment plan at https://socalfoodallergy.org/">Southern California Food Allergy Institute is working!!! We are on visit 10 of approximately 21 visits. We come to California from Louisiana every couple of months, he has a special diet, a tolerance induction plan on a special dosing schedule of his allergic foods, and new medications.
He WILL someday be in remission with food freedom to eat whatever he wants in any quantity!
He eats lunch by himself at school in kindergarten. He misses out on class celebrations, birthday cake and many holiday gatherings, picnics, and social events because of the risks involved with ao many allergenic foods. I try very hard to give him a normal life and will do anything to give him the food freedom he deserves. We are so grateful for finding this clinic. We can definitely use your prayers and donations for this journey as the costs and time involved with his rigorous treatment are astronomical. Thank you!
Organizer
Melody Petlev
Organizer
Covington, LA