Last Great Adventure fund
Last Great Adventure fund
Last Great Adventure fund
Last Great Adventure fund
Last Great Adventure fund
This campaign is closed
Last Great Adventure fund
Terminally ill and traveling on one final bucket list trip before I die. I prematurely closed my last fundraiser before it got to 100%. Dang fat fingers.
Making Memories
My name is Liz. I’m 40 years old and only have a few months left to live. Because of the nature of my genetic disorders, I am on disability and travel is beyond my means. I have lived a great life with no regrets. This adventure intended to be a celebration for making happy memories with loved ones at the end of my life.
Medical Matters
I have Stickler Syndrome, Ehrlers-Danlos Syndrome and Factor II Deficiency (Prothrombin Deficiency). Factor II Deficiency is a very rare clotting disorder, and in combination with the other disorders creates a perfect storm of life threatening issues.
In November 2014, I made the difficult decision to stop the unsuccessful attempts to treat this trio of genetic disorders. By ending the treatments that would only keep me alive short time longer, I chose to live my remaining time with the best quality of life possible, unhampered by the substantial drug side effects.
I was informed that within a year, this meant I would most likely die from a Branch PE (pulmonary embolism) that would almost immediately trigger a fatal heart attack and stroke. In June 2015 I had a stroke, which suggested the end was potentially closer than predicted. I became more determined to spend my last months sharing happy times with friends and family.
Caring Companions
The nature of my medical conditions make it impossible for me to travel alone. The funds raised will enable me to travel not only with my certified service dog, Phoebe, but also with a loved one for each leg of the journey.
Because my condition is terminal and I have little time left, I have advanced directives in place. I am a DNR, and also have arranged to donate my brain for scientific research. Should I have another stroke it is highly likely I would be unable to communicate my wishes to emergency personnel. Because of this, my travel companions have been carefully instructed how to handle the situation should my death become imminent while traveling together, and each will carry a copy of my advanced directives.
Previous Fundraiser
I initially began raising funds on Trevolta, but that site went out of business. Thanks very much to those who supported that original effort. I set up here to continue the effort.
Itinerary
My trip includes locations relevant to friends and family throughout my life, and includes stops in the Bay of Fundy, Boston (for a Sox game), Washington DC, Las Vegas, Key West, New Orleans, the Mississippi Delta, Austin and Portland.