Mayo Clinic for my sister

Hi, my name is Maureen and I am looking to raise funds for my older sister (Kathryn) to get her to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. It is the closest one to us.

She is 39 years old but has basically lost the last 10 years of her life due to her illnesses.

At 18 years old, she was diagnosed with alopecia Universalis (which results from a weakened immune system). Along with the autoimmune issues, she has Uveitis (extreme eye inflammation, sensitivity, and burning , which can ultimately lead to vision loss).

She was later diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis about 10 years ago, which is a form of autoimmune arthritis. This causes inflammation of joints, ligaments, and tendons. Frequently, SI joint pain and spontaneous spinal joint fusion are the initial presenting symptoms for patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Unfortunately, she has the SEVERE SI joint pain.

She also had surgery for a brain aneurism years ago, which also has some side effects such as extreme migraines, most likely due to the metal plate in her head.

We have taken her to Emergency with her being in agonizing pain countless times but nothing has given her relief.

She is in constant pain 24/7 and can’t even get out of bed and feels sick and vomits constantly every day. She can’t hold down food, therefore, is getting no nutrition.

She’s tried everything to help with her pain (fentanyl, acupuncture, sacroiliac joint injections (local anesthetic and steroids), traumadol, monthly injections of Humira, CAT scans, blood work, morphine…etc). The strongest drugs in the world do not provide her with any relief. She is no longer able to function on a daily basis. “

At this point, I think her only hope is to receive the best analysis/ treatment available, which is the Mayo Clinic. I spoke with the Clinic and the expense can be as low as $100,000 and as high as $117,000 which is why I am asking for help. Any amount would be helpful to hopefully accomplish this goal.

The down payment alone is $7,000. I realize it’s a long stretch to reach the goal, however, If we don’t, maybe we can get her to a specialist closer to us.

Update as of March 8th, 2023: two ambulances and 4 paramedics responded to a call my mom had made, as Kathryn was in so much pain. They hooked her up to an I.V. With fluids for dehydration and provided her with the smallest amount of morphine, which did nothing.

Thank you so much!