Vision for Leanne

GO FUND ME – VISION FOR LEANNE MACKENZIE WORBECK
“There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.” Mandy Hale

My name is Leanne Mackenzie Worbeck and I am 37 years old. I am a wife and the mother of two young, incredible children. On July 17, 2014 the world changed for me and those who love me. I became critically ill with Stevens –Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare disorder of your skin and mucous membranes which burns your body from the inside out.

I was hospitalized for 134 days in the ICU/Burn Unit at the University Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. Second and third degree burns covered my body from my head to my toes. Because my lungs were also attacked, I was unable to breathe on my own and had to be intubated for five months. For more information on SJS follow this link: (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stevens-johnson-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355936).
With the finest medical intervention and the love and support of my family I survived and was able to return home after a total of seven months of hospitalization.

But there were complications, from atrophied muscles, loss of skin, nails and hair. Today my biggest challenge is the loss of my eyesight, a side effect in the most serious cases of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
Medical advances with stem cells have given me hope that I may regain my sight, to regain my independence. The thought of being able to watch my kids play, walk them to school and even drive a car again is now a possibility.

My sister Erin Watchel has agreed to be a stem cell donor. She will travel with me to Toronto. Erin will be making an eye tissue donation which will require eye surgery to give me back my sight. The medical term for this surgery is “conjunctival-limbal autograft”.

This specialized eye surgery is not available in Alberta and I live in Spruce Grove, Alberta. This requires me to go to Toronto, Ontario. Alberta Health Insurance will not cover all travel expenses and post-surgery medications. Many follow-up visits to Ontario will be required and an estimate of the cost would be $60,000.00 per eye for me to regain my sight.
Because of the severity of my illness and the length of my hospitalization and recovery, my husband was unable to work in order to care for our two children and me. This has added to our financial burdens.
Please share my story with your family and friends. If you are able to contribute financially, I would be forever grateful.


SHE BELIEVED SHE COULD, SO SHE DID