Thirteen-year-old Mary Teresa Comerate of Hamburg hasn’t had it easy. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease just a few years ago and it has gotten progressively worse.
“She’s been in the hospital for the past nine days and they’ve been running a lot of tests on her to find out why she’s been so sick,” said Renee Leatherman, family friend.
Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the intestines and there’s certain foods Mary Teresa can’t eat because of it. She has been throwing up quite frequently and has terrible stomach pains. She also had to have a feeding tube put in to try and get her the nutrients she needs to get well.
“They’ve been checking for anything and everything for her to get to the root of this because it’s been getting worse for her,” said Leatherman. “I don’t know what to do to make it better, but I know I have to do something.”
Leatherman is now reaching out to the community to cheer up Mary Teresa and her family. Mary Teresa’s mother, Tammy, is Leatherman’s best friend. She just wants to help let Mary Teresa and her family know that there are lots of people who care and want to see Mary Teresa get better soon.
“Just knowing my best friend’s beautiful and sweet daughter is going through this is heartbreaking,” said Leatherman. “I know they are doing their best to be strong. Tammy even hung up glow sticks in Mary Teresa’s window to brighten the hospital room and try to do something nice for her daughter. No child should have to go through this.”
If you would like to send a card to Mary Teresa, please send to Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, C/O Mary Teresa Comerate, 219 Bryant St., Room 1004 Buffalo, NY 14222 or call Renee Leatherman at 579-3186 for more information on how you can help.
