An Ottawa-area mother suffering from a rare genetic disorder is overwhelmed with gratitude after a public campaign to raise money for a life-altering surgery was successful.
Patrice Hall was born with two rare diseases, but the one currently wreaking havoc on her body is ectodermal dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder that affects the growth and development of the skin, hair, teeth, and bones.
The disease has caused the bones on the right side of her face to weaken to the point it may not support her teeth or eye socket. Without a multi-stage bone graft, her bones will continue to degenerate and the damage will continue to spread, eventually causing her facial structure to collapse.
鈥淭he bone loss would continue and it would affect more parts of my face,鈥� Hall told CTV News. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 have support in the mandible region, so a lot of my natural teeth that are left would fall out.鈥�
The surgery would mark Hall鈥檚 sixth procedure to combat the effects of the disease; however, Hall claims the costly procedure is not covered by OHIP or private insurance.
After several attempts to help the young mother, her doctors suggested that her family start a GoFundMe page to help fund the $20,000 needed for the life-altering surgery.
鈥淚 am asking for your support to help Patrice raise these medical costs,鈥� . 鈥淏eing on maternity leave, having a chronically sick infant and not being eligible for medical coverage, makes finances challenging.鈥�
In one month, the campaign has raised $21,750 in support of Hall and her family. The family will donate any additional money raised to the .
鈥淭here are families that I know who don鈥檛 have much that have helped me throughout this situation and I am thankful,鈥� Hall said.
鈥淪ometimes I wonder what鈥檚 next 鈥� but my main concern is my son.鈥�
