Laura's Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Fund

On March 5th I left work early to have some itchy bumps on my legs checked out by my doctor. Three weeks, five ER visits and two hospitalizations later it's hard to imagine a time when I was just 'itchy.' Excruciating pain, rapidly spreading rashes, and a whole slew of other ailments followed with little that helped and no answers in sight. It took the combined power of the UC Health dermatology, rheumatology and GI departments two weeks, but I've finally have a diagnosis of IgA vasculitis (previously called Henoch-Schönlein purpura).   HSP is a type of systemic vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) that is caused by an abnormal immune response that usually presents in children, but can (rarely) affect adults in a more severe way. While the exact cause of HSP is unknown, and my doctors will likely never identify the trigger for this issue, I'm hopeful this is a single occurance and I won't have repeat issues. HSP causes a rash made up of "purpura," a type of lesion where your blood vessels bleed under the skin, as well as causing arthritis, severe abdominal pain and kidney damage. You can read more about it here: https://www.hopkinsvasculitis.org/types-vasculitis/henochschnlein-purpura/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henoch%E2%80%93Sch%C3%B6nlein_purpura I am SO lucky to have amazing insurance through my main employer, but the rapidness of this illness has caused some serious issues. As many of you know Alex was laid off in June and while he is doing amazing as a full time student now, our savings were already stretched to the limit before this happened. I've been lucky to have two other part time jobs to help cover expenses, but I am now homebound (of course all of you are too!) and bed bound so I'm limited in my side hustles. The copay for each ER visit in with my insurance is $450, not to mention the copays for all the follow up visits to my dermatologists, rheumatologists, wound care specialists and others. I have a $3000 deductible to meet before my insurance starts covering the myriad test, visits and other health issues.  I understand times are hard and we are all in a dire place these days, but if you can, please consider helping.