Support Tammy's Fight Against PACNS

My beautiful cousin, Tammy Drew Waddell, was recently diagnosed with an extremely rare and severe form of vasculitis that causes inflammation and damage to the blood vessels of the brain (it's called primary angiitis of the central nervous system, or PACNS). The damage to her brain has resulted in something called "pure word deafness," where she's unable to understand spoken language. She's also having trouble speaking, mental confusion and extreme fatigue. All of this has left her unable to work, and she's immensely stressed about finances.

In setting up this fund, we're trying to help with two things: first, medical costs, including medical bills that aren't covered by insurance and the cost of gas and hotels so that she can go to the Cleveland Clinic, where she periodically needs to be treated. And second, help with everyday costs like food, utilities, mortgage payments, etc., while she's unable to work.

Tammy started having these frightening symptoms way back in December, when she went to urgent care and the doctor found a mass in her brain. They determined it wasn't a tumor or a stroke, but didn't know what it was. It took six excruciating months and a brain biopsy before specialists at the Cleveland Clinic finally figured out that she has PACNS. This extremely rare disease affects just 2.4 people out of a million. She's now started chemotherapy, but doctors tell her it will be a long road to recovery -- and it will be at least a year before she can work again.

Those of you who know Tammy know how much she loves her kids, and how hard she works to make a good life for her family. We're asking for this help to make sure she can get the treatment she needs, and to ease her financial worries so that she can focus on her recovery. Any amount you can give will truly make a big difference. Thanks so much in advance for the support.