Help Me Grow
Donation protected
Let me tell you about our daughter, Malka.
Malka is a bright, friendly, energetic 10-year old girl. She loves to jump rope, ride bikes, and collect stickers.
If you look at Malka you would think she is average height for her age.
This wasn't always so.
One used to presume she was 2-3 years younger than her peers, and sometimes people thought she was even younger.
We used to think because genetically there aren't tall people in our family that this was normal. However, the doctor felt there was more to it because she "fell off the (growth) curve". So following the doctor's recommendation we did some blood work. Much to our surprise, the results came back with a diagnosis of GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY.
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is "a medical condition, caused by problems arising in the pituitary gland, in which the body does not produce enough growth hormone (GH). Growth hormone is a polypeptide hormone which stimulates growth and cell reproduction."
The treatment for this condition is growth hormone therapy consisting of a nightly injection of growth hormone. Within three weeks of beginning the treatment, Malka gained height and weight. The endocrinologist was pleased.
Then we moved. Because the health system did not automatically accept the results we had to repeat everything. A whole year was lost before we could start the injections again
Malka has grown considerably in the three years she has been on the shots. She is now on the growth chart and on-target to reach her genetic height.
HOWEVER...the growth hormone is VERY $$$. We need to work 20 clock hours a month to just to cover our copay for one month of the medication. This goes above and beyond other budgetary needs. We had mananged to scrape together enough for the past four years, but now we don't have enough to continue paying for this medication.
Malka has been off the injections since April. The endocrinologist is displeased; she must get back on immediately. While this is not a life-threatening medical situation, it is still crucial we get this medication into Malka.
Any contribution is welcome and appreciated, whether it is $5, $10 , $18, or more. Even if you personally cannot donate, please share this status or link with your networks. Please help Malka grow
Thank you.
Karen and Shmuel (Scott) Furman
Malka is a bright, friendly, energetic 10-year old girl. She loves to jump rope, ride bikes, and collect stickers.
If you look at Malka you would think she is average height for her age.
This wasn't always so.
One used to presume she was 2-3 years younger than her peers, and sometimes people thought she was even younger.
We used to think because genetically there aren't tall people in our family that this was normal. However, the doctor felt there was more to it because she "fell off the (growth) curve". So following the doctor's recommendation we did some blood work. Much to our surprise, the results came back with a diagnosis of GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY.
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is "a medical condition, caused by problems arising in the pituitary gland, in which the body does not produce enough growth hormone (GH). Growth hormone is a polypeptide hormone which stimulates growth and cell reproduction."
The treatment for this condition is growth hormone therapy consisting of a nightly injection of growth hormone. Within three weeks of beginning the treatment, Malka gained height and weight. The endocrinologist was pleased.
Then we moved. Because the health system did not automatically accept the results we had to repeat everything. A whole year was lost before we could start the injections again
Malka has grown considerably in the three years she has been on the shots. She is now on the growth chart and on-target to reach her genetic height.
HOWEVER...the growth hormone is VERY $$$. We need to work 20 clock hours a month to just to cover our copay for one month of the medication. This goes above and beyond other budgetary needs. We had mananged to scrape together enough for the past four years, but now we don't have enough to continue paying for this medication.
Malka has been off the injections since April. The endocrinologist is displeased; she must get back on immediately. While this is not a life-threatening medical situation, it is still crucial we get this medication into Malka.
Any contribution is welcome and appreciated, whether it is $5, $10 , $18, or more. Even if you personally cannot donate, please share this status or link with your networks. Please help Malka grow
Thank you.
Karen and Shmuel (Scott) Furman
Organizer
Karen Furman
Organizer
Virginia Beach, VA