Support Artist for Crohns treatment

I am a professional working artist based in Malta, who is self-taught. I have been drawing all my life however I have been drawing portraits since 2012. I have created many custom portraits for private clients and also of Celebrities.

Five years ago, around the end of 2016, I was having severe abdominal pain, couldn’t eat, couldn’t drink and going to the bathroom a lot during the day and night. I had lost around 30kgs in a matter of weeks. I went to my doctor who gave me antibiotics but nothing worked. He then referred me to a Gastroenterologist whom as soon as he saw me and heard my story, he immediately rushed me to go to hospital that same day. After loads of blood tests, colonoscopy and much more tests, it resulted that I had Very Active and Aggressive Crohn’s disease.

I was put on steroids, and the monthly treatment of Infliximab/ Remicade for years apart from other pills. Also, I was diagnosed as Anaemic, for which I have to take iron supplements daily, but when my haemoglobin decreases a lot I would have to go to the hospital for blood transfusions.

Unfortunately, this year from the tests, it resulted that the Infliximab was not working anymore, so they had to change my treatment to another one, the Adalimumab which is a self-injecting syringe which I have to do weekly. This was back in February.

Again, from further tests, this treatment is not working anymore either and my doctor informed me of another treatment Stelara (Ustekinumab) which is taken every 8 weeks. This treatment is not listed under the government health department and I would have to pay a fee from it (since I work full time) to be able to take it through a Community foundation. However, this treatment is very expensive which is around €6914.554 / $8,319 every eight weeks. This is the full amount but I would have to pay a part of it until it becomes free under our health department. Therefore I am asking for any donations possible to help, since I also rent an apartment and have other bills to pay.

What I would give back:

With a €50 donation:

1. I would send you an Original Custom Portrait drawn by me.
2. The size would be of A4 – 9×12 inches (22.86×30.48cm)
3. 1 subject. You may choose to have a drawing of your child, a parent, sibling, husband, wife or a celebrity. Below are links to my artwork.

With a €100 donation:

1. I would send you an Original Custom Portrait drawn by me.
2. The size would be of A4 – 9×12 inches (22.86×30.48cm)
3. 2 subjects. You may choose to have a drawing of your child, a parent, sibling, husband, wife or a celebrity.

Below are links to my artwork. I ship worldwide, however you are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply.

Thank you for your support.

Vera

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