SPOKANE, Wash. – Families relying on the Spokane Allergy and Asthma Clinic are facing uncertainty as the clinic’s closure impacts their treatment plans.
Alissia Marhefka, a mother of two allergy patients, shared her concerns over the disruption in care for her sons, 11-year-old Brendan and 8-year-old Braylen. Brendan is allergic to grass, trees, dogs and cats.
Marhefka emphasized the importance of their treatment, saying, “They need this to feel healthy. You know, my oldest son needs his shots to feel healthy.”
For the past five months, the clinic has been crucial for her son’s treatment.
Marhefka expressed her son’s apprehension about starting over, saying, “His worst fear is to have to start all over again. He was excited about two more treatments and then going once a month.”
The family faces a critical deadline. Brendan’s last treatment was on February 11. If he does not receive his allergy shots by Friday, they will need to restart six months of treatment.
Marhefka expressed her concern for others affected by the closure.
“Sad for my son, both my son’s. Sad for everybody who goes there because I’ve seen people there as young as, like, two years old to 80 something receiving treatment,” she said.
Diana Martin, another patient, also voiced her concerns. Attending the clinic twice a week, Martin was surprised by the sudden closure.
“Shaky. I don’t know what to do,” Martin said.
Martin, who lives in Deer Park, finds alternative clinics in Spokane Valley and Idaho too far.
“I might just have to bag it and let things go the way they are,” she said.
The closure leaves many patients like Marhefka and Martin searching for solutions and hoping for a resolution soon.
