Hope for caydence

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HOPE FOR CAYDENCE
Caydence Milone is a delightful, witty, 8-year-old girl. She is a little lady, who appears to be wise
beyond her years, what is known to many as an old soul. Caydence loves all animals and babies (except
her little brother...well, sometimes). She enjoys arts and crafts and is involved in Girl Scouts. She is full of
life and is a bit sassy. Just a great kid.

When Caydence was 3 years old, she was diagnosed with Raynaud phenomenon, a condition that causes spasms in the blood vessels of the fingers.
She would develop painful ulcers on the tips of her fingers and became extremely sensitive to cold. The
doctor’s told us to just keep her warm to prevent these episodes. Despite following the advice of
multiple healthcare providers, these symptoms worsened, and Caydence began to have difficulty moving
her extremities as any normal child should. This was also quite painful. Caydence’s parents sought
further answers from specialists at Children’s Hospital Boston last spring. She was seen for a consultation
with a pediatric rheumatologist there, who, within 2 minutes of meeting Caydence was able to recognize Caydence had scleroderma. What started off as a regular doctor's visit shockingly turned into a 5-day hospitalization. If Caydence had not
been seen at this appointment, her disease may have progressed and become potentially life
threatening.
Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that can cause the skin and body organs to harden. Raynaud's is one way it can show up. It was difficult to connect the dots, as scleroderma in children is very rare. The Children's doctors told Caydence's parents, Jen and Nick, they had seen only approximately 10 children in 30 years with scleroderma.

Since her treatment at Children’s, Caydence has had to undergo costly bimonthly to monthly infusions, is
on 4 medications, and sees a physical therapist to keep her symptoms and condition in check. She also sees multiple
specialists, some of whom have been at a loss as to how to treat childhood scleroderma due to its rarity.
Caydence’s parents have been in touch with a doctor, who specializes in childhood scleroderma. They
have been able to arrange an appointment for her this spring at Pittsburgh Children's Hospital. The evaluation will take at
least 3 days.

Caydence and her family need a little help with the cost of their trip to Pittsburgh. Contributions to this GoFundMe Campaign will help get Caydence to this appointment and on going expensive.
She needs to get her sassy little foot in the door of Pittsburgh Children's to establish treatment with this expert specialist.
There is no known cure for scleroderma. The doctors are doing all they can to prevent further
progression of her disease. Going to Pittsburgh will get Caydence one step closer to getting the
best care she can to manage her disease. We want to keep this beautiful little girl healthy and free to be what
she is a kid, old soul and all.