Funds Needed As Encinitas Mom Fights Heartbreaking Disease

ENCINITAS, CA -- Donna Lucci, a wheat-grass drinking yogi, saw her life take a different path a year ago when she instantly gained 60 pounds. With more than five trips to the emergency room, the Encinitas mom was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, a chronic disease that can case the organ to fail.

Now her children, Olivia and Natalie, are calling on the public to help their mother.

In a GoFundMe page, they wrote has seen top liver specialists in the past eight months, but little relief has been found.

"The side effects of all the medications have been devastating," they wrote. "In addition to the symptoms of the original condition, the side effects include severe bone loss, swollen body, hair loss, teeth falling out, vision loss, severe dehydration, loss of mobility (couldn't even walk for awhile), depression, and the ability to think clearly."

After spending nearly $30,000 on medical bills, the family hopes to find help through alternative medicine. They are asking the public to help raise $30,000 to pay for care.

"The lack of a solution from the medical world, has led us into the world of alternative medicines and approaches, neither of which are covered by insurance," they wrote. "This includes naturopathic doctors, The Mayo Clinic, The Cleveland Clinic, Ayurvedic medicine. We're even researching stem cell therapies which would take us to other countries."

Describing their mother as a "bright light," the daughters wrote, "Our mom has done everything for us and now we are doing anything and everything we can for her. Anything you can do to help is so appreciated. Reaching out, donations, love, support, or sharing this on Facebook."

To donate to the family, click here.

--Photo via GoFundMe/GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner