Women shoot nude calendar to pay for friend’s rare disease treatment – raising nearly $28,000

A woman has created a nude calendar with her friends to raise nearly $32,000 for treatment of a rare disease that can leave her paralyzed.

Jessica Riggs, 32, has been diagnosed with a hidden disease called Neuro-Cranio-Vertebral Syndrome-Filum.

The condition means that the fibrous tissue that runs the length of the spinal cord is under excessive tension.

She and sixteen other friends have now stripped down and posed for a calendar to pay for the treatment in Spain, which costs almost $32,000 – and is not available on the NHS in the UK.

The idea was inspired by the comedy-drama film Calendar Girls.

Jessica, from Saltash, Cornwall, said: “My friend said to me ‘Jess we like to be naked’. I’m always at the beach getting skinny dipping.”

“I wanted to empower women and make other women feel liberated – I just loved being one in nature.”

Jessica only started having symptoms of the disease at the age of 22 and has been fighting for treatment on the NHS ever since.

She explains that she was referred to many neurologists on the NHS, but the cause of her symptoms could not be found.

She ended up losing her job as a marine biologist and polar expedition guide as her symptoms progressed and weakened over time.

Jessica was forced to seek help overseas.

She was offered specialist treatment, which costs almost $32,000, in Spain and is not available on the NHS in the UK.

She will now be operated on in Barcelona on January 16 next year.

Jessica said: “My illness is hidden. If you put me in person, you’d think there was nothing wrong with me.”

“It’s important to advocate for yourself—you know your body better than anyone else.”

“My symptoms have progressed and this clinic only treats this condition in a very special way.”

“This guarantees that no further symptoms will appear. It will ensure the quality of my life.”

Sales of the calendar have been a “success” – having sold more than 400 copies both online and from local businesses.

She stars in four pictures in the calendar – including a picture of herself and her friend’s dog in November.

She said: “I’ve been to a lot of Christmas fairs too. One woman said she was really moved by my cause. “

“It’s unbelievable how strangers are so generous.”

So far she has raised almost $28,000 through calendar sales.

“I lost my job because of this condition. But fortunately, I had time to invest in the calendar campaign full-time”, concluded Xesika.