Help Sam fundraise to receive a potentially life-changing treatment for his chronic migraines

Hi, I’m Sam.

I’m a third-year undergraduate student studying English Literature and Film, hoping to continue into Classics and Creative Writing. I’m also an aspiring poet. For the past three years, I’ve been living with chronic migraines and a constant daily baseline headache. There hasn’t been a single day without pain.

This has changed my life completely. I used to spend time with friends, go out, and enjoy everyday things. Now I’m mostly confined to my home, often my bed. Even attending university is extremely difficult, but I do my best to keep going.

I’ve tried multiple treatments—four medications, rizatriptan, nausea medications, MigraDol, high-dose aspirin, hot and cold therapy, chiropractic care, and ongoing physiotherapy. I’ve also had neurology referrals, but without success. Despite everything, nothing has provided lasting relief.

I’m hoping to try Emgality, a migraine prevention medication not funded by Pharmac. It costs $325 per injection monthly, with a double dose to start. $2500 would allow me to trial it for six months.

There’s no guarantee it will work—but it could change everything. If not, funds will go toward finding something that does.

Any support or sharing means so much. Thank you for reading.

— Sam