Cami Clune advanced all the way to the semi-finals of The Voice season 19 in 2020, but now she is battling a debilitating disease.
The Buffalo, New York native competed in the Instant Save for Team Kelly Clarkson for a fifth spot in the final. However, the vocalist lost the battle to Team Blake Shelton singer Ian Flanigan. Teen Carter Rubin from Team Gwen Stefani ultimately won the season.
Cami has been diagnosed with Dysautonomia
Afterward, Cami went on with her life and career. But now, over a year later, the singer is being treated for dysautonomia, a disorder that “negatively impacts the part of the brain responsible for unconscious bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, pain control, sweating, and temperature control.” Dysautonomia is commonly a comorbidity of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a chronic illness that Cami was diagnosed with at age 17. During her Blind Audition, Cami discussed how the disease ended her ability to dance, but music filled the void.
Cami’s mother Patricia Clune has started a GoFundMe campaign to pay for Cami’s rising medical expenses. In a message to Cami’s fans Patricia writes that Cami “was managing her illness quite well the past few years. Then sadly, about 6 months ago, her health started declining once again.”
Cami experiences extreme shortness of breath, and is unable to sing or hold down a job
“For the past 5 months, Cami has had constant horrible respiratory issues making breathing difficult. The extreme shortness of breath has made it so difficult for her to do ANYTHING, let alone TALK or SING!” Cami’s mother writes. “As if that wasn’t frightening enough, Cami also started having tremendous blood pooling in her extremities. She developed constant lightheadedness, dizziness and extreme fatigue making it almost impossible to do anything. At the high point of her life so far, Cami had to put her singing and acting career (her total income) on hold. She couldn’t even handle the physical demands of even part time employment. This has been devastating.”
The GoFundMe message explains that at age 21, Cami is “already drowning in medical debt.” Unfortunately, the family has a high-deductible medical insurance plan that doesn’t cover everything. In order to pay for Cami’s ongoing care, which includes a treatment called “Neurofeedback” the family is raising money through the GoFundMe.
The Clune family has set a goal of $25,000 and have raised $6,125 so far. The GoFundMe and a long message from Cami’s mom Patricia explaining her illness and the history of her health problems can be found HERE.
During Cami’s blind audition, Kelly wanted the singer on her team so much, that she blocked Blakefrom turning for her. Watch Cami sing Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” before receiving 3 turns and a block. She chooses Team John Legend, but eventually wound up on Team Kelly after the coach stole her in the Knockouts.
