Alexis Peterson

August 2013 Alexis started experiencing numbness and tingling in her extremities, followed by extreme joint pain and fatigue and was diagnosed with Lupus SLE in November 2013. Shortly after the diagnosis, the disease spread to her kidneys and she underwent a kidney biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis of Class 4 Lupus Nephritis. In the course of her treatment she developed PRES and was hospitalized at Primary Children’s in the PICU/ICU for 10 days and then was released on 10 medications, a special diet and many restrictions.

Alexis was born in May 2003 here in Utah into a large family. She is smart, loving, talented and adventurous. She loves swimming, bike riding and scuba diving! She has a great love of the theater and has landed roles in the community center’s rendition of “A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream” as Dew Drop and in “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” as an Angel. She is very artistic and creative as well. Due to her illness, she has limited social interaction, must stay out of the sun and avoid stress as she is very susceptible to illness. Alexis is currently on eight medications, has home/hospital schooling, and sees a rheumatologist, a nephrologist and her pediatrician on a regular basis.

Even with insurance, the family has many uninsured illness-related expenses such as: co-pays, deductibles and doctor bills (both of which currently total over $5,000). With continued home schooling a real possibility , Alexis will also need a computer along with a motorized wheelchair that would allow her to get out into her community on a more regular basis.

To help with these expenses, Alexis has applied to receive assistance from the HelpHOPELive Southwest Catastrophic Illness Regional Restricted Fund. HelpHOPELive is a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant and catastrophic injury communities for more than 30 years. All contributions are tax-deductible, the property of HelpHOPELive, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation today by clicking the DONATE NOW button.

Thank you in advance for your donations and support of Alexis as together we can make a difference!

The Friends and Family of Alexis