Assistance for Callan as he endures his most trying time of life. His body is being turned to stone & will cause his early death

**PLEASE REFER TO UPDATE TAB**

Callan is just 44 years old and his body is turning to stone. Callan is living with a rare condition called Scleroderma which is progressively hardening his skin, restricting his movement. It’s also hardening his internal organs causing permanent damage and affecting their ability to perform. Scleroderma will take Callan’s life. Scleroderma has no known cause and no cure.

Scleroderma is a rare auto immune disease where the body produces too much collagen. Collagen is needed for the body to survive. If a healthy person injures themselves, collagen will be laid down in the form of scar tissue, however, in the case of Scleroderma, the immune system attacks healthy tissue & lays down collagen causing fibrosis (hardening). In severe cases such as Callan’s excess collagen affects internal organs, eventually rendering the affected organs useless. In the period of just two years Callan has gone from a fit and strong young man working as a stone mason to living in the nursing wing of a rest home. His skin has tightened to the point he can no longer feed himself and needs assistance with all facets of daily existence. Because his skin has become so tight and thickened ulcers have broken out on all of his joints and his tail bone. These probably will not heal and are extremely painful. His internal organs have been affected to the point that many are not functioning as they should causing him endless pain and discomfort. As this is a progressive condition Callan will not be recovering.

Callan is currently being assisted by an RSA volunteer, which is fantastic especially as he has little family contact. Unfortunately this caregiver has to dip into his own pocket in order to help Callan with everyday living. This is where we need your help please. It is unacceptable that a volunteer caregiver needs to use his own funds to care for someone in such a condition. This also extends to transport to and from the hospital for specialist medical appointments. As Callan is in constant discomfort and pain and is now unable to sit upright for extended periods of time due to the tightness of his skin he now requires an ambulance just to attend hospital appointments.

As previously mentioned Callan has a progressive condition and will not be recovering. You can help Callan by simply making a small donation. All donations will go towards providing for his daily care as we aim to make what little time he has left as comfortable as possible. Scleroderma has no known cause, and no cure.