Woman Paralyzed by Rare Disorder After Utah Hiking Trip

A Wisconsin woman who recently completed treatment for breast cancer has been left paralyzed and in a coma following a hiking trip in Utah. Chris Kamke, who had beaten terminal breast cancer over the summer, was hiking in Zion National Park in September with her husband and son.

Following a successful hike of the Narrows in Zion, the family visited Bryce Canyon. It was during this excursion that Kamke began to experience severe pain in her hips and legs, making it difficult to sit or lie down. The family detoured to a hospital in Panguitch, Utah.

Initially, doctors suspected the symptoms were related to weather changes. However, after further examination, they diagnosed bacterial pneumonia. Kamke's condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to her being airlifted to Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital.

Her sister, Tammy Thomas, reported that Kamke became unresponsive and has been comatose since September 25. She is now on life support, ventilated, and paralyzed.

Kamke has since been diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), an extremely rare autoimmune disease that affects approximately one in 250,000 people, according to the National Institutes of Health. Despite her active lifestyle, which included playing softball and other sports, Kamke is now facing this life-altering diagnosis.

Kamke is nearly 1,700 miles from her home in Wisconsin. Her family is seeking financial assistance for a medical transport flight, which is not covered by insurance and is estimated to cost between $27,000 and $28,000 for jet fuel alone. They have partnered with the non-profit Grace on Wings, which will cover the medical flight once the family secures the fuel costs.