Hope for Hana

Hana is an active basketball player and performs exceptionally well in academics back then. It all started year 2015. Hana felt pain and stiffness in her lower back. She has been in and out of the hospital ever since. Come 2017, after a series of labtests and examinations, HANA has been diagnosed with AS or Ankylosing Spondylitis and turned out positive with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Ankylosing spondylitis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a rare HLA combination.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that targets the joints of the spine and affects one out of hundred citizens of the world. It first affects the sacroiliac (SI) joint, where the spine attaches to the pelvis, and then starts to affect other areas of the spine. The hips and shoulders can be affected, as can the eyes, skin, bowel and lungs. Symptoms of AS include back pain, stiffness and reduced mobility in the spine.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are autoimmune diseases. That means, her body’s immune system, for unknown reasons, becomes confused. It attacks her healthy tissue, including her joints, instead of targeting foreign bodies like viruses and bacteria which causes pain and inflammation.

Unfortunately, Hana is one of the few women diagnosed with AS and SLE. According to studies, there is no cure for AS and SLE, however, there are ways to help control the symptoms and manage the pain.

Hana undergoes monthly treatment/chemotherapy specifically be injected with infliximab - a chimeric monoclonal antibody biologic drug that works against tumor necrosis factor alpha and is used to treat autoimmune diseases. Infliximab does not cure AS or SLE. Infliximab can retard the destruction of joints caused by autoimmune diseases. As per advised by her doctor, she needs to have a series of dosages of infliximab which may last for a year or so until signs and symptoms of inflammation is reduced.

Hana had her first dose of infliximab last 5th of February 2018. Her second dose was 20th of Feb 2018. Third dose was supposedly on the 20th of March 2018 but did not push through cos her family struggled to sustain the succeeding dosages and of course, other medical expenses.

We are knocking on your kind hearts, help us give Hana live a full life that she deserves. Anything you are able to contribute will be so helpful to Hana and her family. Let's help her get the very best care we can and get her back to that wonderful, active, fun-loving person we all know and love!

Any amount you donate, will be given directly to Hana or her mom.

Ankylosing Spondylitis and LUPUS: There is hope!!