JACKSON – The community has come together and formed a fundraiser to help a high school student travel across the country so she can receive a specialized surgery.
Catarina Orphanoudakis is a senior at Jackson Liberty High School, a member of the Art Honor Society and the Captain of the Jackson Liberty Color Guard.
Catarina was diagnosed with Gastroparesis, Colonic Dysmotility, Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction and Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome. These conditions are causing intestinal infections from her digestive tract not functioning properly. She also has Anemia and multiple vitamin deficiencies related to lack of gut absorption. This treated with blood transfusions, iron infusions and vitamin injections.
After one year, her disease has progressed and she is unable to tolerate any tube feeds. Catarina is now connected to TPN which is a gastric tube to drain her stomach since it cannot empty on its own.
Catarina must be placed under sedation every three months and have a surgical clean-out of her intestines since she cannot produce a bowel movement on her own. This also brings on many additional risks for anyone with Mitochondrial Disease.
Catarina needs to travel to Utah to see a highly specialized Neuro-Gastroenterologist. The trip will present her with clinical studies, trials, medications and surgeries not available to her in New Jersey.
The Community Kindness for Cat Breakfast Fundraiser will be held on March 21 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Farley’s Ice Cream, 740 Brewers Bridge Road, Jackson. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 10 and under.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will help with Catarina’s medical expenses, medical supplies and traveling expenses for the family.
A GoFundMe has also been set up.
