Support for Mariam Moallem and Her Family
Donation protected
Mariam suffers from a debilitating disease known as Sickle Cell Anemia. Both she and her family have struggled tremendously with day-to-day functioning, work, and school because of the immense amount of pain, treatment and medication required to make life bearable with this condition. Since she was 9 months old, she has been fighting this awful disease and has been in severe pain daily. Mariam has had many surgeries over the years and is currently doing blood exchanges every 3 weeks to give her a little relief from pain and to save her organs, but it's not helping any more for her pain.
This summer, Mariam will be receiving treatment in Calgary, where she will be the recipient of a bone marrow transplant from her brother. Mariam will be the first patient in Canada with a 50% donor to do this procedure for sickle cell bone marrow transplant. It is very risky. Mariam will have to do chemotherapy and radiation before her procedure. Side effects of the conditioning process for chemo can include: nausea and vomiting , hair loss, mouth sores or ulcers, infection, bleeding , infertility or sterility, anemia, fatigue, cataracts, organ complications, such as heart, liver or lung failure. The procedure will require her mother (Joumana Moallem) to be off work and assisting Mariam with her recovery, as well as her brother. The costs incurred during this time are not covered by healthcare insurance and so we are asking for your assistance in helping this amazing young woman and her family through the barrier of receiving treatment for this rare disease.
Extra costs incurred as a result of this procedure:
- fertility surgery (which ranges from $7,750 - $12,250). This has to be done before radiation and chemotherapy so that Mariam has a chance of having children in the future.
- medication costs for the following two years after her bone marrow transplant (none of which is covered by insurance and is extremely expensive).
- The cost of a furnished apartment for Joumana and her son to stay in during the treatments and support of Mariam during recovery for the following 3 months. Costs for housing are starting at around $13,000 for the 3 months.
This summer, Mariam will be receiving treatment in Calgary, where she will be the recipient of a bone marrow transplant from her brother. Mariam will be the first patient in Canada with a 50% donor to do this procedure for sickle cell bone marrow transplant. It is very risky. Mariam will have to do chemotherapy and radiation before her procedure. Side effects of the conditioning process for chemo can include: nausea and vomiting , hair loss, mouth sores or ulcers, infection, bleeding , infertility or sterility, anemia, fatigue, cataracts, organ complications, such as heart, liver or lung failure. The procedure will require her mother (Joumana Moallem) to be off work and assisting Mariam with her recovery, as well as her brother. The costs incurred during this time are not covered by healthcare insurance and so we are asking for your assistance in helping this amazing young woman and her family through the barrier of receiving treatment for this rare disease.
Extra costs incurred as a result of this procedure:
- fertility surgery (which ranges from $7,750 - $12,250). This has to be done before radiation and chemotherapy so that Mariam has a chance of having children in the future.
- medication costs for the following two years after her bone marrow transplant (none of which is covered by insurance and is extremely expensive).
- The cost of a furnished apartment for Joumana and her son to stay in during the treatments and support of Mariam during recovery for the following 3 months. Costs for housing are starting at around $13,000 for the 3 months.
Fundraising team (2)
Jade Ingels
Organizer
Wabasca-Desmarais, AB
Joumana Moallem
Beneficiary
Shelley Stevenson
Team member