The Cure for Cate

Cate is wife to Doug and mom of four children: Juliet (12), Sophie (10) and twins Jack and James (6). Ten days after delivering Jack and James in July 2017, Cate needed a life-saving hysterectomy, resuscitation with blood product and almost 20 blood transfusions. The doctors and nurses in

Grande Prairie, Alberta, saved Cate's life.

Two years later while doing chores, the farm dog lovingly licked Cate's face. Cate immediately went into anaphylaxis and her husband performed rescue breathing while they awaited help.

For four years, Cate has really struggled with her health. Three years ago, things were so dire that Cate took steps to ensure her will and last testament were legally binding and sound.

Cate has been an active advocate for herself, navigating the healthcare system and tirelessly searching for answers. To put things into perspective, Cate has:

*been seen and tested by over 25 specialists

*visited the emergency room almost 100 times

*has had over 600 tests done

*travelled to Edmonton (5 hours away) over 30 times for appointments and tests

*tried 34 different medications, including chemotherapy

*spent thousands on private testing, doctors and travel.

In 2022, Cate was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. The easiest way to explain this is that it is like a bee sting. You know how your body releases histamine to fight off the poison, and how your body is no longer in homeostasis or equilibrium? Cate's body is doing this all the time, every day, all day. Cate is on injection histamine stabilizers every other week, but her equilibrium is still precarious. To put things into perspective, Cate cannot be in the same vicinity as a dog, which makes daily living very, very difficult. Cate cannot go in stores, on Canadian-owned airplanes, hotels, playgrounds, in homes with dogs or schools with support dogs, offices with dogs, government buildings with dogs...the list goes on. In fact, Cate is unable to work because dogs are literally everywhere. Cate would love to live a normal life again and not have to worry about encountering dogs. Cate understands that dogs are like family members, it just makes life difficult for her to navigate.

In 2023, Cate was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease. Cate has symptoms similar to Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis and is on a weekly subcutaneous chemotherapy medication.

In mid-2023, through a chance encounter, I met a lovely woman who had experienced symptoms similar to what Cate was going through. The woman suggested that Cate consider being tested for Lyme Disease through an international laboratory, Armin Labs.

Four weeks later, on the exact 6 year anniversary of Cate's life-saving surgery, it was confirmed: Cate has Lyme Disease. It is likely that the Lyme was transferred via the nucleus of the blood transfusions and is the ROOT CAUSE of Cate's ailments.

Finally! After six full years of searching, AN ANSWER!

Unfortunately, the treatment of Lyme is not at the forefront of a Canadian doctor's training, knowledge and expertise. However, through the help of the woman who suggested the testing, Cate has been aligned with a fantastic team of doctors in Calgary who can help. However, Cate and Doug will have to bear the costs of treatment. It’s worth it though, because it will lead to remission.

There are two options for treatment:

1. “The Marathon”: This carefully curated plan is entirely based on Cate’s needs and would be thoroughly researched and implemented based on Cate’s specific needs. Frequency and amount of medication is dependent on the amount Cate can afford each month.

2. “The Sprint”: A team of doctors in Mexico offer a 21 day in-house, custom, accelerated treatment. This treatment plan would be continued when Cate returns to Canada. Treatment is approximately $55,000 CAD. In addition, flight options would have to be extensively researched, as commercial airlines in Canada allow animals on board with little accommodation for a person with life-threatening allergies.

Asking for donations is not something Cate and Doug take lightly, but they have exhausted their financial ability to cure Cate. More than anything, Cate wants to grow old with Doug and watch their children grow up and start families of their own. Through your donations, this can be a reality for Cate and her family. The alternative is wondering if today will be her last.

Thank you for considering the Cure for Cate ❤️