Memphis woman with mystery illness in national spotlight - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

(WMC-TV) – The story of a Mid-South woman who suffers from a rare disease that causes fingernails to grow in place of hair is getting national attention.

Shanyna Isom's story captured hearts around the world and now she hopes those headlines will result in help.

Isom is overwhelmed by the global interest in the story about her mystery illness. She has a skin disease that covers her entire body in scabs and causes fingernails to sprout where hair would normally grow.

Just hours after the story first aired on Action News 5 earlier this month, news agencies around the country were calling Isom, hoping to speak with her about her undiagnosed disease.

"Anderson Cooper asked for me personally, so I was like ‘Okay, haha,'" Shanyna described just one of the many phone calls she received.

Google searches show people around the globe are talking about the rare illness.

"Everywhere I go people say, ‘You're the lady that's on the news.' And I say, ‘Yeah, but I need your help,'" Isom laughed.

While the story has generated interest, it has not resulted in the donations Shanyna needs to continue her life saving treatments at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

"It's kind of stressing me because I don't know if I'll be able to make my September visit," she explained.

Doctors have managed to control Shanyna's symptoms, but her Tenncare insurance does not cover all of her medications.

And family members say her body is breaking down again.

"And we don't want anything to happen to her, this is our baby girl. So we trying to keep her here as long as we possibly can," said Shanyna's aunt, Venita Richmond.

We invited Shanyna for a visit to Action News 5 after one of her many trips to Baltimore for surgery.

Less than one year ago, she was not even able to get out of bed.

Thanks to treatments, she had the strength to take a tour of our studio and play in the weather center. It was a brief distraction from the fear that the progress she has made may be going in reverse.

"It's hard, it's hard not to worry," said Isom.

She hopes her life threatening illness will generate more than curiosity and conversation.

Shanyna Isom's foundation, the SAI Foundation, accepts donations at any Bank of America branch.  You can also donate online to the SAI Foundation.  Click here to learn more about how you can help try to find a cure.

Next month, Westwood High School, where Shanyna went to school, is dedicating their football game to her cause.

Copyright 2012 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.