Why We Are Raising Money for Our Mom’s ME/CFS Treatment in Tokyo, Japan

Our mom has always been the person who cared for everyone around her. She was the one who showed up, offered support, celebrated our victories, and helped us through life’s challenges. Today, the roles have been reversed, and we are doing everything we can to help her.

Over the past several years, our mom’s health has been devastated by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a severe and debilitating neuroimmune disease that has dramatically altered her life. What many people mistake for “being tired” is actually a complex illness that affects nearly every aspect of her ability to function.

Simple activities that most people take for granted—getting out of bed, showering, preparing a meal, having a conversation, or spending time with family—can leave her physically exhausted for days. She experiences profound fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction, pain, and a significant loss of independence. The mother we once knew has been forced to watch much of her life slip away because of this disease.

Despite these challenges, she continues to fight every day.

After extensive research and consultations with experts, we have identified a specialized treatment program in Tokyo, Japan, that offers innovative approaches for patients with severe ME/CFS. While there are no guarantees, this treatment represents a meaningful opportunity to improve her quality of life and potentially restore some of the function and independence that this illness has taken from her but unfortunately it’s an extremely pricey procedure just the treatment nothing else costs $80,000 that not any of it is covered by insurance.

Unfortunately, mostly all of these treatments are not covered by insurance, and the costs associated with international travel, medical consultations, testing, treatment, lodging, and ongoing care are overwhelming for our family.

That is why we are asking for help.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings our mom one step closer to accessing care that may give her a chance at a better future. Your support is not simply helping fund a trip—it is helping provide hope where there has been so much uncertainty. It is helping a mother continue her fight against a devastating disease that has already taken so much from her and our family.

We dream of seeing our mom regain even a small piece of the life she once had. We hope for more conversations, more memories, more moments together, and more opportunities for her to participate in the life she loves.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story, share it with others, and support our family in any way you can. Your kindness, generosity, and encouragement mean more than words can express.

With our deepest and most sincere gratitude,

Kailey, Jason, Jackson and Justin Nutting