Nicole Kress’s Lupus Treatment

What is this for?

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this. I have a very close friend and colleague named Nicole Kress. She is a phenomenal teacher, mother, and friend. She was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus, Raynaud’s Disease, and Sjogren’s Disease 16 years ago at age 27. She was also diagnosed recently in January of 2022 with Narcolepsy. For those that are not aware of what these diseases are, I have put descriptions at the end. Unfortunately, she was recently told that her lupus levels were elevated to a life threatening degree. In order to increase her chances of survival, she must go to the John Hopkins Research Treatment Center and receive an experimental treatment to help regulate her levels. However, this is an expensive task, as she is an Alabama resident and all research and treatment are not covered under the State of Alabama insurance. Between this, the copays, diagnostic testing, travel, etc. she will have to pay around $19,000. In order to secure her spot in the treatment, she must come up with $3,000 by this Friday (May 19, 2023). She has created a website to try and raise money (dixiesouthboutique.org), she has asked for several loans, but nothing has gotten her to the goal she needs. There is no option for a payment plan and we are running out of options. She is hesitant to let me create this GoFundMe for her as she has never been one to ask for help. Please donate what you can, and even if you cannot, please share this post!

About Nicole Kress:

While her Lupus has taken a front seat in her life, this is not all there is to her. She is hardworking, never complains, accepts any and everyone. She is the mother of 3 boys (two of which are in college at the University of Alabama, the other an incoming high school freshman). She is happily married and has two sweet pups. She has been teaching for 20 years now, and helped countless students. She has housed underprivileged students. She is a person you can go for no matter what and she will be there with open arms and zero judgement. She is a fighter and she will fight this battle with everything she has. She has become one of my very best friends, and this world is lucky to have her in it. Please feel free to ask any questions you have and I will answer them as well as possible.

Descriptions of her diagnosis:

Lupus occurs when the immune system (something designed to protect your body from infection and disease) attacks its own tissues. This attack causes inflammation, and in some cases permanent tissue damage, which can be widespread- affecting the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, circulating blood cells, and brain. Those who suffer from Lupus may eventually develop additional autoimmune issues as a result.

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a problem that causes decreased blood flow to the fingers. In some cases, it also causes less blood flow to the ears, toes, knees, or nose. This happens due to spasms of blood vessels in those areas from stress, cold, or emotional upset. She developed Raynaud’s as a result of Lupus.

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to react abnormally and start to attack the tear, saliva, and other secondary glands throughout the body. The reasons for this remains unknown, but research suggests that it is triggered by a combination of genetic, environmental, and possibly hormonal factors.

Narcolepsy is a rare long-term brain condition that can prevent a person from choosing when to wake or sleep. This can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks, cataplexy (temporary loss of muscle control), sleep paralysis, excessive dreaming and waking in the night. Narcolepsy is often caused by a lack of hypocretin which regulates wakefulness. The lack of hypocretin is thought to be caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking cells that produce it or the receptors that allow it to work.

Despite all of this, Nicole still comes to work every day she does not have a treatment. She teaches the future generation, and she does it extremely well and for little pay. Right now, she needs our help to be able to continue doing the amazing work she does. Please donate and share.