All funds raised will go to Tracy's next biannual Rituximab infusion due Aug. 2015. Donate Now!
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Tracy is a vibrant and cheerful young woman. She has always been a hard worker and never one to back down from a challenge. In 2008 while completing her masters, she was a part of a team that started a company, and also gained full-time employment, at this time she was also serving on the board of a national committee and even started learning Spanish. In 2009 she was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica, an autoimmune disease, which caused her to lose her sight and motor function
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic's disease, is an autoimmune disorder in which immune system cells and antibodies mistakenly attack and destroy myelin cells in the optic nerves and the spinal cord. The damage to the optic nerves produces swelling and inflammation that cause pain and loss of vision; the damage to the spinal cord causes weakness or paralysis in the legs or arms, loss of sensation, and problems with bladder and bowel function.
Tracy continues to improve but this is not an illness that will go away. She has to take a potent cocktail of drugs three times per day. The side effects of these drugs are debilitating with long term use. She also requires biannual infusions which are extremely expensive but will over time reduce her dependence on steroids. Care services and medical bills are taking a toll especially since her medical insurance no longer covers medical costs and she requires a 24-Hr care giver. Crowd-funding websites are therefore being used to raise both money and awareness.