Help Stephanie with Ongoing Treatments

Adrieanne is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Stephanie Pezzimenti

Stephanie Pezzimenti from Fonthill, Ontario, Canada needs life saving treatment.

Stephanie has been struggling with her health for over five years now. Following two surgeries in 2017 and 2018 for endometriosis, she developed numerous complications including a C. difficile infection. Her health has declined rapidly and she was diagnosed with digestive tract paralysis which affects her entire GI tract. She is dependent upon total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via a PICC line for her nutrition and to keep her alive.

In June 2022, Stephanie developed a subsequent C. difficile infection. The best course of treatment for Stephanie Pezzimenti’s complex health is something called fecal microbiota transplant or FMT. FMT is a medical treatment where healthy donor stool is transplanted into the colon of a C.difficile patient to cure the serious infection.

Her doctor has made referrals and reached out to everyone he could find that is qualified for a FMT in Canada. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, clinics have been unable to operate and there is a huge backlog, and a lot of programs having a two year wait.

Every single day, Stephanie wakes up in fear that she will die before she has access to the treatment that could save her life and improve her health. Stephanie and her husband Joe have taken steps to finalize her will and final wishes in preparation that she will not survive this.

In Canada, no one should have to worry about dying before being able to access a life saving treatment.

Stephanie was admitted to the hospital on July 9, 2022 for a suspected bowel perforation and was told she required surgery. Upon further consultation, surgery was canceled and she was monitored closely in the hospital. She has since been discharged but her health continues to deteriorate despite being on antibiotics prescribed.

The plan: Stephanie has met and consulted with a doctor from the United States who will be able to ship FMT that has been specially formulated to best accommodate her digestive tract paralysis.

One (of many) obstacles: This treatment is very expensive and will cost approximately $10,000.00 for FMT, medical fees, and equipment.

Stephanie and Joe have used their savings and have had to spend over $65,000 so far on out of country consultations and testing since they could not access it in Canada.

The financial cost and toll all of this has taken on Stephanie and Joe has been significant. It is at this point in Stephanie and Joe’s journey, where they are seeking financial help from the community.

Times are very difficult for most people right now. Please contribute if you can; no amount is too small to help Stephanie get the treatment that she desperately needs. Also, we hope you’ll share this page with your communities and spread the word.

Thank you for the support!

Written by Adrieanne (Stephanie’s twin sister) on behalf of Stephanie and Joe Pezzimenti.

Read more about Stephanie’s journey here

Global National News story about Stephanie and FMT