Julie Rincon, 32, of Red Deer. (Supplied)

By Sheldon Spackman

costly treatment

Red Deer mother seeks help for costly medical treatment

Oct 2, 2020 | 4:00 PM

A Red Deer woman battling a rare disease says she’s struggling to pay for the medical treatment she needs that’s not covered by Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Julie Rincon, 32, is a married mother of two. She has suffered from systemic sclerosis, more commonly known as scleroderma, as well as Raynaud syndrome since she was 17.

Rincon says the disease causes her immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy the healthy tissues of her body and produces painful sores on her hands.

She says scleroderma is rare because both the cause and cure are said to be unknown. Without a costly stem cell treatment, only medications to alleviate the symptoms are available according to Rincon – resulting in numerous side effects affecting other parts of her body.

“All these years it had stayed in my hands, but about two months ago, the disease began to spread into my arms and currently limits me in my day-to-day life as it does not allow me to fully stretch my arms and I have lost part mobility in them,” she shares on her GoFundMe page. “Additionally, I am losing strength in my right hand. If not treated in time it can be life threatening as it can affect the blood vessels, the heart, the kidneys and the lungs.”

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Rincon says the aggressive flare up of her scleroderma in recent months is causing her significant pain and worry about what lies ahead.

“I don’t want it to go to my internal organs,” she remarks. “I’m really worried and I don’t want to wait until that comes. I don’t want to go to that stage because I don’t want to feel like it’s going to be too late. I want to do something now – for my kids.”

Rincon notes that doctors predicted 15 years ago that if she reached her 30s, she would be very lucky, but her quality of life would not be the best.

“Today, I am 32 and I know I cannot forsake my life and future to this disease,” she declares. “My greatest wish at this time is to be able to undergo a stem cell treatment which promises to repair the deteriorated cells in my body and I am more than sure that it will improve my quality of life and give me the opportunity to see the future in a more optimistic and promising way.”

Rincon says the stem cell treatment she requires has to be paid for out of pocket. She says it comes with a $35,000 price tag.

“I am reaching out to my community for help as more than ever I want to LIVE,” she exclaims. “I want to fight and be victorious in this battle.”

“As a mother I want to fight to the end because I want to see my children grow up,” she continues. “I want to be in their lives for many more years and for the love I have for my children. I will do whatever it takes!”