A fundraising event Saturday in Hilo will help relieve some of the financial burden of the family of a young mother battling a very rare and potentially fatal disease. Stop by from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Alohalani Street.
A fundraising event Saturday in Hilo will help relieve some of the financial burden of the family of a young mother battlinga very rare and potentially fatal disease. Stop by from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Alohalani Street. Watch for signs.
The disease, Wegener’s Granulomatosisis, is characterized by severe inflammation of the blood vessel walls in sinuses, lungs and skin with lumps called granulomas. In some cases only the nasal passages, airways and lungs are affected. The cause is unknown.
“Without treatment, the disease can worsen rapidly, causing death,” said spokeswoman Esther Noguchi.
“A young mother of four has been battling this disease for more than a year. It has required multiple flights to Honolulu, hospitalizations, surgeries, intravenous antibiotic treatments at home, isolation to prevent infections due to impaired immune system, and pain medication,” said Noguchi. “This has taken a toll on her and family members. Medical expenses have already been quite costly. She must now receive an experimental drug which will cost $15,000, per infusion, with an expected need for four treatments.”
For more information, contact Noguchi at 640-9806 oreknoguchi@hawaii.rr.com.
