Kids & Family

Campaign Raising $250K for Medical Costs

Loved ones raising money for prosthetics, converted mobility van, electric wheelchair for Jalisa Barnes.

A GoFundMe campaign is raising $250,000 for a 21-year-old East Rockaway woman who contracted a rare and debilitating disease.

Jalisa Barnes, 21, of East Rockaway, was an All-State, All-County, All-Conference and New York State volleyball player at East Rockaway High School before signing with University of Pittsburgh.

In May, Jalisa was sadly diagnosed with Group A Streptococcus, a rare blood infection that resulted in “necrotizing Fasciitis and Streptococcal Septic Shock Syndrome,” according to the campaign.

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“She has lost both legs, her right thumb and will lose part of her left thumb with other fingertips in question, she has minimal to no use of her hands or arms,” wrote Keena Barnes on the page. “Jalisa's life has changed forever.”

While Jalisa has “wowed the surgeons...with her progress,” she and her family have reached out for help in redesigning their lives around the massive struggle she has overcome.

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Funds from their GoFundMe campaign will be dedicated to medical expenses, a converted mobility van, prosthetics, wheelchair accessibility remodeling, and an electric wheelchair. They have already raised more than $15,000.

View Jaleesa’s GoFundMe campaign here to learn more and make a donation.


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