Karson Wells has been through it the last year. Since August of 2024, Karson has been dealing with symptoms of lupus and his family and the doctors are still working through his diagnosis. Karson has been in and out of the hospital in St. Francois County, St. Louis, and now the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
Week to week, Karson goes between feeling okay and then vomiting for days on end. This athletic high school senior remains a hopeful, positive spirit even though he faces days when he can barely move. He also has to deal with lesions on his feet and ankles, as well as lesions in his esophagus, making even simple things like eating or walking painful. Fun with his friends is very little and far between as he often doesn’t have the strength for it. This kid is so powerfully strong in spirit that he hasn’t let his grades slip, maintaining his As and Bs even through all the medical woes. But he isn’t able to get a job like his classmates, participate in extracurricular activities, or even ride his motorbike with his illness.
In August, Karson faces two surgeries at the Mayo Clinic again. His family needs help with medical bills and travel expenses to get Karson up there from Missouri for surgeries–August 11th and August 13th. It’s going to be a long journey for his family. Going to Minnesota with him will be his mom, Kayla, and his grandmother, Laura. All monies donated will be going first to travel expenses for Karson, Kayla, and Laura to get to Minnesota for the surgery and then towards medical expenses that keep piling up.
Whether it’s a little or a lot, every bit helps Karson and his family focus on his healing and keeping his hopes and dreams for getting his lupus under control so he can live a normal life.
