Help Me Breathe, Heal, and Care for My Family: Fighting for My Life in New Zealand

Kia ora, my name is Michelle. I’m almost 58 years old, and I’m in the fight of my life. For over two decades, I’ve been battling lung sarcoidosis, a relentless condition that has repeatedly knocked me down. I urgently need your help to survive.

In 1998, I was diagnosed with lung sarcoidosis. After years of treatment, I went into remission, but my health declined again in 2010 and even more severely in 2018, leaving me hospitalised for three months. The most devastating relapse came in May 2024 after I contracted COVID-19. This triggered a severe relapse that has left me unable to breathe properly or live a normal life.

My oxygen saturation levels are dangerously low, averaging 7.5 on blood gas tests. Every small movement leaves me breathless.

Unfortunately, my lung condition is permanent. My low oxygen levels will never fully recover. While a portable oxygen machine won’t cure me, it will allow me to manage basic tasks like standing and walking short distances without becoming completely breathless. It’s an essential tool to help me regain some independence, but it’s not something I can afford.

On top of this, I’ve also developed severe pustular psoriasis. It has spread to my hands, nails, and the soles of my feet. My hands are inflamed, my nails are damaged, and walking even a short distance feels like stepping on broken glass. The pain and inflammation mean I can’t walk, work, or even handle simple tasks around the house.