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Sweet Caroline

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With the family's permission I am setting up this fundraiser for Caroline and her tribe. 

Caroline is a 9 year old with Cystic Fibrosis. CF is a rare, genetic disease. It mostly affects the lungs, sinuses, pancreas, liver, and intestines. People with CF have mucus that is excessively thick and sticky. The abnormal mucus leads to blockages within the lungs and airways. This leads to repeated, serious lung infections that damage the lungs.


Lung function often starts to decline in early childhood. Over time, permanent damage to the lungs can cause severe breathing problems.
The thick, sticky mucus also can block tubes, or ducts, in the pancreas. This can cause vitamin deficiency and malnutrition.

There is no cure for CF, and the disease is terminal.


Caroline had her first surgery immediately after birth for an obstruction in her bowel. She has been a fighter since Day 1.  At 9 years old Caroline has spent much a lot of time as a patient at Barbara Bush Children's hospital. She has had countless surgeries and procedures. In 2018 Caroline had her right upper lobe removed in an effort to eliminate infection and buy her more time as she and her family wait for her to be eligible for the drugs being developed to lessen the effects of her disease. (Currently not FDA approved for under 12 yrs.)

Caroline's spirit is undeniable. She is so funny, incredibly brave, and accepting of her disease. She doesn't let it stop her.She is the BEST patient, handles all that she goes through with an amazing amount of toughness.

Caroline's lung function has dropped significantly. She spent part of last January, February, July, November, December, and this past January in the hospital for lengthy admissions for the a bowel obstruction, the Flu, and IV antibiotics to fight lung infections. She is again being admitted to the hospital this week. She will continue to be admitted frequently to attempt to prevent further decline in her health and preserve lung function. 

Jessica has had to essentially leave her job with little to no notice, to stay with Caroline in Portland, while Jake works and stays with their other 5 children at home. It seems that for the foreseeable future, this is going to be the norm.  The family has been handling this for the past 9 years, but it has become impossible to keep up with the huge burden they're facing with Caroline's hospitalizations.


×*×*×*×Here is where HELP is needed×*×*×

Thankfully, Caroline has health insurance. This fundraiser is for the MANY expenses occured when you are constantly in the hospital.

.*Gas to travel back and forth to Portland.

*Food costs, as every meal comes from the cafeteria or takeout.

*Mounting bills from constantly taking time off, and having to stretch their budget.

*Miscellaneous expenses that add up VERY quickly when your family of 8 is split in two places.

There is no amount is too little. The help will be such a blessing to  Caroline & her family, and will eliminate a lot of stress, while allowing them to concentrate on what is important.

Thank you so much.




(For those who have asked, I have set this fundraiser with the family's blessing, and these funds will be deposited directly into the family's bank account.)

Organizer

For Mathews Family
Organizer
Whitefield, ME

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