Hi! My name is Katy Rempel and this year will be my 6th year of suffering with chronic migraines.

My migraine journey began my junior year of high school when I suddenly started to have more and more frequent migraines. I have always had occasional migraines, but it quickly went from a few a year, to 25+ headache days a month. I started seeing specialists and neurologists, going to the children's hospital weekly for acupuncture, and getting nerve blocks and IVs monthly. Over the years, we have found ways to limit the vast number of migraines I used to have, but it was not a quick fix or an easy journey. I have tried every medicine, every injection, and somehow I still get migraines a few times a month.

One of the hardest parts of living with chronic migraines is that they are often not taken seriously as a disabling condition. Because migraines are an invisible illness, people don't always see the pain, missed opportunities, and daily challenges that come with them. I had missed so many classes that my high school threatened to not let me walk the stage for graduation, even though I maintained a 4.0 GPA while simultaneously navigating a new chronic illness. Even now in college, I have professors who refuse to accommodate for my migraines or adhere to my disability plan. Migraines are so much more than just a headache, and I hope that increased awareness and research will help others understand just how debilitating they can be.

Donating to this cause would mean a lot to me because migraine research is still vastly underfunded despite the fact it affects over 12% of the population. Please consider making even a small donation, the money will go to UCI's Health Headache Center to fund more research.

Thank you,

Katy <3