Support Aaron’s Journey to Healing: Topical Steroid Withdrawal Fundraiser

Dear family and friends,

This story goes back to when I was a kid. I had rashes on my face and fingers. My mom would bring me some steroid creams and tablets to ease the itchiness and bruises as prescribed by different doctors and dermatologists. I was even prescribed steroid "injectibles." As years went by, these rashes spread from my neck, behind the legs, and my feet. There were times when my skin would get better and months after, would come back. I have been bringing this problem for more than 10 years. I wouldn't get to enjoy much of my childhood because of my skin condition. Dermatologists would say that my skin has "severe eczema" or "severe dermatitis," but in 2018, I began my research about my condition and found out that I am facing Topical Steroid Withdrawal. I was forced to resign from work just to attend to this condition in 2019.

Topical Steroid Withdrawal (or TSW) is a condition that is caused by severe side effects of topical (or oral) steroids in the body. These occur when the person uses steroid creams and/or tablets for a long time. Despite these side effects, many doctors and dermatologists would not recognize TSW as a major threat to its patients, but rather put them over high dosages of creams and/or tablets. Some patients would take years to get over with this condition. Sadly, some couldn't bear the pain and suffering.

Symptoms of TSW are draining physically and mentally to those who suffer from it. Symptoms would occur such as:

• Bright, red skin
• Heavy shedding of skin
• Oozing skin coming with a displeasing scent.
• Muscle spasms
• Nerve pain
• Hair loss
• Depression
• Tightened parts of the body
• Edema and more...

It is so severe that most sufferers are forced to resign from their work and be bedridden for a long period of time. These can affect relationships, finances, careers, and doing the things wanted to do of those with this condition.

Unlike other sickness, there is no cure for TSW. There is no standard protocol for TSW to be gone. Moisturizers, creams, and tablets won't work as they will make the skin worse. Many of the sufferers would say that "Time is the best healer," but this condition varies from person to person. I did this when I found relief from my body. Assumed to be "normal," I tend to go back to work and even pursue theological studies. But it came to a point that I was underperforming in my studies and became distracted when serving at the church or simply even doing my projects and assignments. Most of my time will be wasted in scratching the body and even having a hard time sleeping.

I have been living with this condition for 3 years now and I am slowly thinking about when I can still endure. I don't want to be at a point where I can't do anything in life because of my limitations or to be always excused from my ministry or tasks. My fiancé (soon to be my wife) and I searched for solutions to find relief or an effective way to get to the point where I can function like a normal person like you, and we have found a solution just for that: Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Therapy.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Therapy is a treatment being used in the medical field to treat minor and major wounds in the skin by stimulating growth factor production of skin cells. It has positive and promising applications, which include treating TSW. The treatment can be physically and mentally draining but it can help people having TSW having their health and even their lives back.

There are 3 clinics in the world that offer CAP Therapy. The three are the UK, Singapore, and Thailand. I contacted the clinic in Singapore last 2019 but because of my physical and financial limitations, I could not travel at that time. Of the three, Thailand's clinic is the longest-running clinic, and they are most experienced in terms of dealing with TSW. I learned this treatment in our Eczema-TSW community and the people who underwent their treatment got their lives back! I am currently in contact with the medical team and patients there and they were so kind, patient, and helpful in assuring me that favorable results will come out of this treatment, we are arranging our travel right after our wedding in November. This is where your help is most needed.

I am seeking to raise P400,000 (Philippine Pesos) to cover the 4-6 months of treatment and accommodations.

Here is a simple breakdown of the following expenses:

*The remaining amounts will be used for food and accommodation. Rent and the rest of the expenses will be shouldered by us.

One factor that we chose Thailand because the cost of living is almost similar here in the Philippines and any donations will go a long way. The more we can raise, the more sessions I can receive in Thailand, and I can have a better and faster recovery from TSW.

It would mean everything to me if you could support me in my journey and share it with others too to serve as an awareness in TSW. I want to be a normal person just like you. Normal such as walking to places wearing shorts and slippers without hesitation or feeling irritated. I wanted to travel to different places and see the beauty of it all. I wanted to be more effective in the church by finishing my Masteral Studies and ministering to different places, I wanted to start my family and be a good father and husband without having any physical limitations or skin irritation. I wanted to go out with you some time once I get healed and tell you how you got my life back by God's grace.

I'm looking forward to doing all these things with the people I love, and you are a part of it.

Thank you so much and may the Lord bless you in all you do.