On June 22nd my sister Annie went to the ER assuming she was just dehydrated, would get an IV and be home by midnight. Thankfully she ended up getting a CAT scan, and what they found shocked us all.

My sister had a lacrosse ball sized tumor growing in her brain that was causing hemorrhaging from the pressure against her skull. She was rushed to the Neuro-ICU at Hopkins where on June 26th, Annie underwent a craniotomy to remove the tumor. The procedure was complicated by the fact that the tumor was getting large supply of blood from the brain. They warned that there could be neurological symptoms post surgery and that it would take two weeks to know if the tumor was malignant. So, we all collectively prayed for good news.

Miraculously, my sister came out of surgery with ZERO neurological symptoms and the tumor was benign (though she carries the BRAF gene so she will need MRIs every 6 months for the rest of her life).

The major challenge has come financially, post surgery. With 7 days in the hospital and ICU, plus of course the surgery itself, my sister’s medical bills are racking up. They are already over $10,000.

Those of you who know Annie, know she is a caring soul who takes care of so many people and puts everyone else first. She is a positive and bubbly individual, and the world is better with her in it.

Any help is greatly appreciated as it will help Annie be able to restart her life post-surgery, and maybe help us give back to her in the way she has helped countless others with her pure heart and acts of kindness.