Anna McFarland's Fundraiser - Urgent Help Needed

Anna McFarland, wife and mother of two, recently received devastating news after struggling with a multitude of bazaar symptoms for months. It started in September of 2023, with things such as headaches and forehead pressure that has only gotten worse. In addition, Anna’s sense of smell has been off and she has the constant taste of salt in her mouth. Outside of this discomfort, the symptoms have become hazardous and exhausting, with Anna experiencing trips on smooth surfaces and left eye twitches throughout the day.

Anna remained persistent while experiencing symptoms, seeing countless Doctors and specialists, searching for answers. Ultimately, the root of the issues she was experiencing came with a shock. Anna was diagnosed with a Plenum Meningioma Tumor above her left eyebrow, which is dangerously close to her optic nerve. To avoid going bind, Anna will need to have the tumor removed by the only specialist in the state who does this type of surgery, which is called "eyebrow craniotomy". It will be done at Region's Hospital in St. Paul on September 18th. Anna will stay in the hospital anywhere from 3 to 5 days.

Between the surgery and post-op recovery time; Anna will be out of work for approximately 6-8 However, the doctors always say up to 12 weeks if something doesn't go as planned. 90% of the patients who have craniotomies experience moderate to severe headaches, which could last for up to 2.5 months.

Anna is a contractor; therefore, she doesn't have benefits, and will not get paid for her time off of work. Her husband, Kirk will need to take at least 2 weeks off of work to care for Anna during the initial time after surgery. He applied for FMLA, but for now we do not foresee him getting paid for that time. Therefore, we will be without both of our incomes for approximately 2+ weeks, and without Anna's income for 6- 8 weeks (that is if all goes well).

Furthermore, there are not currently definite answers from Kirk's insurance as to how much they will cover with surgery, hospital stay, and post-op appointments as well as follow up MRIs. As of Oct. 1st Kirk's insurance renews, and Anna's out of pocket maximum could be about $3,000.00+. It could be at least $20,000.00 or much more, if they have to pay 20% of the medical bills.

Anna and Kirk are devoted parents to 21-year-old daughter, Jacqueline who just graduated in April from University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with a "Communication Sciences and disorders" degree. She is back at U-Mary to start her Speech Language Pathology Master’s program right after this Labor Day. She loves to play volleyball and has been playing since 5th grade. She volunteers at many local functions as well as elementary schools and rehabilitation centers in Bismarck, working with children and adults who have speech disorders due to various conditions. She loves to go hiking, speed walking, tearjerker movies and trying new restaurants. Although lately, she hasn't been trying out restaurants, since she is a poor graduate student now with bunch of loans. Anna and Kirk are helping Jackie financially with her living expenses, since she can only work small amount of hours per week due to a packed school schedule (6 classes, clinical and homework). They also have a 14-year-old son, Giovanni who just started 9th grade at Chesterton Academy High School. This is a private school for which we have to pay monthly tuition. Giovanni has always been in small size classes where he learns best. That is why we needed to choose a small size high school for him. He loves to play soccer and basketball, and has been playing both since he was 5 years old. Aside from hiking, climbing hills and small rock mountains, bike riding and swimming, he really loves drawing and is very good at it!

Anna has worked for Sholom Home West Rehabilitation center and Nursing home strictly as their contractor from 2018, in a capacity of a Social Services Liaison/Medical Interpreter, but has been coming ton call to separate appointments for Sholom as a Medical Interpreter through an agency since 2015.

Anna and her family attend St. Raphael's Church in Crystal and have been involved in that parish and school for many years. Anna, her daughter Jacqueline and her son Giovanni have all attended St. Raphael's School. Anna and her mother, father and brother have been parishioners there since 1979. We all helped out and volunteered at Rake-A-Thons, Church Festivals, Pancake breakfast, and other community events. As well as St. Raphael's, the McFarland family has been a part and volunteered at Holy Family Church in St. Louis Park and Mary Queen of Peace Church in Rogers.

Due to Anna's and Kirk's aging parents with their serious health conditions, they are not able to help physically or financially.

Anna and her family are immensely grateful for friends, coworkers, clients, neighbors, parishioners, and Chesterton Academy parents, who have been offering to help in any way they can by praying, adding us on to the prayer chain, carpooling our son to school and soccer games during Anna's recovery time as well as offering financial support on this "Go Fund Me" forum.

If you have had the great fortune to know and befriend Anna, you would know she is someone who wears her passion on her sleeve and would do anything within her means to help another, whether friend, family or stranger. We have faith that God will answer our prayers through the spirits of this community and help Anna and her family with the financial burden this diagnosis has caused.

To all who are able to help, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. To those who are unable to contribute financially, please continue to pray. Anna and Kirk can also use support with meals, carpools, housekeeping, yardwork, or whatever assistance you are willing to provide. Again, thank you and GOD BLESS YOU for your prayers and support.