Autumn's Scoliosis Surgery

I am starting this Go Fund Me page for a close friend of mine, Christine and her daughter Autumn.  Autumn is a bright, 11 year old girl who was diagnosed with Scoliosis at the age of 9. For those of you who aren't familiar with Scoliosis, it is a medical condition in which a person's spine has a sideways curve.  Shortly after being diagnosed, Autumn had to wear a brace for 16-18 hours a day for a total of 18 months. This was to help slow the progression of the curve. However, despite this effort and others, her spinal curve progressed from 35 degrees to 65 degrees in just 2 years and has started to cause her some discomfort.  The doctor was concerned by the rapid progression and decided to schedule surgery as soon as possible on October 23rd at the Shriner Hospital in Philly.  During the surgery, they will be fusing a metal rod from T2 to T12 of her vertebrae and her incision will probably be about 12 inches in length.  Autumn will be staying at the hospital for at least 1 week until she can be released and continue her recovery at home for approximately 6 more weeks. Even after going back to school, she cannot be bumped or jostled for up to 6 months as well as a 10 pound lifting restriction, and she will not be able to participate in gym or swimming for the rest of the school year.  Autumn will be able to do things gradually, but it will take at least a year for her spine to heal.  She will lose motion in her torso and upper back permanently and will never be able to bend that section of her back (i.e. no back flips or bends) and she will always have to bend at the waist.  All of this is overwhelming for both Autumn and Christine. As a mother myself, I can only imagine the emotional stress of watching my little girl undergo such a major surgery and the fincancial burden on top of this only adds to it. Christine is a single mother who will be taking time off of work to be there for her daughter and will have a loss of income during this time.  There will also be expenses such as meals etc while staying at the hospital.  She is also already enduring medical bills for tests leading up to this surgery.  One of the tests alone is $700.  I have been through this myself from a lengthy hospital stay with my mother and it is emotionally draining enough being a caregiver to someone, let alone the financial burden that comes with it.  I am kindly asking for those that can donate, even a little bit to help, it will be greatly appreciated. And as always, thoughts and prayers are welcome. Thank you all.