Hello everyone – I am Kailey’s girlfriend, and I am reaching out to you with a heartfelt message. In December of 2023, Kailey was diagnosed with severe ulcerative pancolitis, a life-altering condition. I am starting this campaign to rally support for Kailey and her family during this challenging time.
Kailey’s story – This courageous 19-year-old in her freshman year of college expected a fun experience while studying graphic design when things took a turn. She started experiencing intense and persisting abdominal pain that was unknowingly caused by this chronic autoimmune disease. I started seeing how Kailey was often feeling scared, alone, and embarrassed from frequent bathroom visits. She even experienced fear of eating from the pain it would cause, instead of making memories with her fellow college friends. It broke my heart that the simplest joys of life, like taking walks, hanging out with friends, and a basic human need like eating became challenging and seemingly impossible tasks for her. After months of seeing my once happy girlfriend suffering through debilitating pain, losing weight, blood, and all of her energy, she was finally diagnosed with ulcerative colitis through a simultaneous colonoscopy/endoscopy.
Ulcerative Colitis – There are many forms of the disease, some only affect parts of the large intestine (colon) and rectum, but in Kailey’s severe case, every part is affected (pancolitis). With ulcerative colitis, it is not known exactly what causes it. Still, it leads to a person’s immune system attacking healthy tissue in the gut, causing painful inflammation and ulcers, as well as other symptoms. Luckily, while the disease is uncurable, it can be treated. Kailey has begun to receive infusions of a biologic drug that will stop her colon from attacking itself, and bring down the inflammation, hopefully leading her towards remission, or the ability to eat without fear. However, the financial burden of this treatment is daunting for Kailey and her family. She comes from a loving family of her parents and four younger siblings. At the moment her parents are taking on the weight of this treatment as she is still covered under them while she is in college. The biological infusions are very expensive, and she recently had to get a blood transfusion because of anemia due to her blood and weight loss. The costs of college are already weighing on her family, and now with these treatments, the burden has grown.
Back to Kailey – This life-changing situation is something I can’t experience in the same painful way Kailey has, which is why I want to help her by bringing awareness to her case. Despite the challenges, Kailey remains remarkably resilient. She faces her days with optimism, keeping up with her schoolwork and maintaining a hopeful mindset as she learns to take care of herself in this new stage of life. Kailey loves going out for walks and photographing nature, she has a unique love for art and dreams like any other college student. As we rally around Kailey, let’s not only ease the financial burden of her medical expenses but also provide emotional support to help her navigate the unique challenges of college life with a chronic illness.
What we ask – Your generosity will directly address medical bills and treatments. Each donation, no matter how small, will leave a profound impact on Kailey’s recovery journey. If you can’t give, please include Kailey in your prayers and share this campaign within your network, helping us reach as many caring hearts as possible. Thank you for being a source of strength and hope.
Message from Kailey – “When my symptoms started, it was terrifying. I felt really alone because I didn’t know how to explain what was happening to me, why everyday tasks became so hard, why I threw up after so many meals, and why something that was supposed to keep me alive was causing such agonizing pain. When I was diagnosed, I felt so relieved, I finally knew what was wrong with me. But the diagnosis came with an expensive treatment just so I wouldn’t feel like I was being torn apart when I ate. I’m so grateful to my parents who are already helping me pay for college, and now for me to be able to try to live as normally as I can again. I’m also so grateful to my girlfriend for her unwavering support on my worst days, I don’t know what I would do without her. I thank anyone who decides to donate, I appreciate all the help and kind words I’ve received from others with this disease, and those who’ve supported me through this.”
