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Help Me Pay For My Spine Surgery

On June 8th 2013, I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Spinal Arachnoid Cyst. What I came to find out is that I have a 2" cyst growing inside of my spinal cord covering three of my vertebrae. It extends from my T-9 vertebrae to my T-12. It causes severe, constant and intense pain. The cyst is compressing my spinal cord and displacing it. As of today, my symptoms are non-stop. I am in agonizing pain that starts in my back and extends down to my hips and legs. I have begun to have numbness and tingling in my hands and feet which are signs that the inevitable and irreversible nerve damage that this disease causes has begun.
On June 30th of this year, shortly after my diagnosis, I lost my health insurance. As a result of this, I am unable to obtain the treatment and surgery I need. If I don't have this surgery (and soon), I may live with irreversible nerve damage, loss of bladder and bowel control, as well as paralysis. I have started this fund (by the insistence and support of my friends and family) in order to not only pay for my medical costs and bills, but to be able to pay to have the surgery I need. Any extra will be donated to raise awareness about my disease. Every little bit helps me to reach my goal. I appreciate even the smallest donation. It just might save my independence, my health and my life. Thank you in advance.


Update: Thanks to your donations, I was able to see a spine surgeon at Cedars Sinai Spine Center. After reviewing my new MRI films, he set a surgery date for October 8th. He stressed the urgency of the operation as well as severity of damage I will receive if I do not have it. Please keep giving and sharing if you can. As I am now unable to work and in the process of applying for disability, I am relying 100% on your donations to pay for this surgery. Thank you for all the love and generosity. You have all given me HOPE and a fighting chance. Today, I continue to fight thank to you.

Update: September 29th - The cost of the surgery is $30,800. That will cover everything from anesthesia to after care. I have been offered a payment plan that requires $6,000 down and $5,000 per month. I will also need to pay for the $1,500 pre-op exam and testing. The loss of feeling in my hands and feet is rapidly increasing so having the surgery on October 8th is the best thing that could possibly happen to me right now. Thank you to everyone that has helped raise this money. I feel so blessed to have so many people helping me fight this battle.
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $25 
    • 10 yrs
  • Mom and Dad
    • $100 (Offline)
    • 10 yrs
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Organizer

Tara Pierce
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA

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