My name is Jessica and I am a proud Coats’ Crusader! I’d like to share with you why supporting the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation is so important to me and to all of the Coats’ patients whose lives are impacted by this rare disease.
I am a 38-year-old woman married to a wonderful husband and, together, we have a kind and fun 5-year-old daughter. I am a small business owner and creator, hand-making knitwear and jewelry accessories. I love creating, painting, and spending time with my family. I am also a Coats’ patient.
When I was 2 years old, I was diagnosed with Coats’ Disease. By age 2 ½, I had my first surgery to reattach my retina. I have been blind in my left eye ever since. At 16, I had another surgery to remove a cataract that had developed in my left eye and to explore the possibility of repairing my retina. Through it all, I have led a normal life, participating in sports such as volleyball and martial arts. Unfortunately, my eye health has slowly declined over the past 5 years and now I am in the process of meeting with doctors about the possible removal of my Coats’ eye.
As you know, little is known about this disease. There are limited resources, delayed diagnoses, and few doctors experienced in treating Coats’. After finding the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of this organization. I wanted to help - being able to save someone’s sight is invaluable! So I became a monthly donor, knowing that my financial contributions are directly helping fund research to find a cure for Coats’ Disease is important to me.
With firsthand experience as a Coats’ patient, I know how important your generosity is in making strides into improved treatments and, ultimately, a cure to help people like me. So today, I wanted to personally ask you to join me in becoming a Coats’ Crusader and helping save our sight.
Coats’ Disease is a rare disease and it can happen to anyone at any age. Eye health is extremely important and most eye issues and vision loss, if left untreated for too long or if it reaches a certain stage, can be irreversible. Donating to the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation can provide the resources needed to cure this disease, have better understanding of eye development and the cause of Coats’ Disease, and, perhaps most important, save someone’s sight.
Becoming a Coats’ Crusader has given me an opportunity to give back to my Coats’ community and help patients and families when they most need it. As a supporter of the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, I know this is something you care about too – and I can tell you that a cure won’t be possible without the generosity of people like you.
Become a Coats' Crusader Today!
Thank you,
Jessica
Coats' Patient and Coats' Crusader
