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Genevieve Jones raised £4,042 from 129 supporters
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Closed 27/11/2016
Iʼve raised £4,042 to get treatment for a dangerous lung infection
- London, United Kingdom
- Funded on Sunday, 27th November 2016
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Story
There have been a lot of news stories lately about antibiotic resistance. At the moment, antibiotics are the only effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections. If they stop working, you could die. This, unfortunately, has happened to me.
I was born with Bronchiectasis, a condition that causes scars on the lungs. This means I get infections fairly often. But this time it is different.
Following surgery to remove a cyst from my thorax four years ago, I suffered a collapsed lung. A protracted stay at the hospital thus caused infection with bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) that can’t be treated by antibiotics. I’ve had eight different kinds – orally, via nebulisers and IV drips – but the doctors at my specialist London lung hospital have told me that they can’t kill it, only try and control it.
It makes me feel pretty ill most of the time, and is causing more damage to my lungs. Eventually I may need to carry permanent oxygen just to breathe. The existing treatment is quite extensive, with antibiotics at home followed up by weeks of in-patient stays every couple of months. They have quite horrible side effects; the most dangerous can cause organ failure. This is basically my future with the Superbug: it may kill me. Obviously this isn’t ideal, so I’ve been looking into other treatments and have found phages.
Phages are successfully used in Eastern Europe instead of antibiotics. Antibiotics work by killing lots of bacteria in the gut, both the good and bad, whereas phage therapy clinics keep a huge library of phages which they match to the harmful bacteria. There are no known side effects. I have been in contact with a top phage clinic in Tbilisi, Georgia. There is a good chance they can eradicate the bug entirely with a fortnight’s trip there.
I’m keen to go ahead as soon as possible! But it isn’t cheap. So I’m asking for help. It will make a HUGE difference to my life –it may even save it -so please consider donating. Thank you!
Updates
2
- 8 years ago
Genevieve Jones
8 years agoI'm utterly joyous at how much was raised, thank you all so much. For those worrying, I will recieve all of it, (minus a small fee) and have kindlly been offered a loan to meet the rest of the amount. I leave on Wednesday (tomorrow) for Tbilisi, Georgia, where treatment will start almost immediately. I'm going to be blogging about the trip here: http://adventuresinphages.wordpress.com THANK YOU ALL, THIS IS SO AMAZING !
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- 8 years ago
Genevieve Jones
8 years agoI just wanted to say a really. really big thank you to everybody who has helped. I'm so touched and a little bit tearful every time I get the notification that says "You've got a donation!" I'm currently arranging things with the clinic and have made a provisional booking for December at the Eliavia Institute in Georgia. I'm determined that by the time it comes around I will be able to go! Half way there already! I researched lots of clinics and this is best for my needs. It's also mentioned here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21799534
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Genevieve Jones started crowdfunding
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Supporters
129
Anonymous
Nov 27, 2016
Anonymous
Nov 27, 2016
healing wishes your way xx
£20.00
Neil Semple
Nov 27, 2016
Thinking of you. Love Doo. X
Stuart Morrison
Nov 27, 2016
£20.00
Vicky Semple
Nov 27, 2016
Sorry it's not much. You are welcome to one of my lungs though. I think they are both good. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
alasdair mcwilliams
Nov 27, 2016
£20.00
Anonymous
Nov 27, 2016
£10.00
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