Support Christine Minucci's AVM Recovery

A brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain.  The cause of AVMs is not clear. Most people are born with them, but they can occasionally form later in life. They are rarely passed down among families genetically.  Some people with brain AVMs experience signs and symptoms, such as headache or seizures.  An AVM puts extreme pressure on the walls of the affected arteries and veins, causing them to become thin or weak. This may result in the AVM rupturing and bleeding into the brain (a hemorrhage).

Christine is 34 years old and lives with her husband John and two daughters Alyssa (5) and Gia (2).  Christine is one of the most thoughtful, caring and loving people we know.  She is always putting others before herself and now we are putting her first.  

In late 2014, Christine started to suffer from severe migraines.  She decided to go for an MRI which showed that she had an AVM in her brain.  After going to several doctors, Christine and John made the decision to have the AVM removed however, no doctor under her insurance was capable to perform this type of surgery.  After thorough research John found a specialist at NYU.  While waiting for an insurance approval for the surgery there was a terrible complication.  On Monday, March 30, 2015 the AVM began to leak.  At the time this happened John was thankfully off from work and was able to call 911.  In the midst of all the chaos, Alyssa and Gia witnessed their mom getting sick and taken away by EMT.  

She was rushed to Lutheran Medical in Brooklyn where emergency procedures were done to stop the bleeding in her brain and stabalized her.  She was then tranferred to NYU hospital where her surgeon awaited her arrival.  They performed brain surgery to remove the newly developed 3" blood clot and prepared her for the next steps.  On Tuesday, April 7, 2015 they performed an embolisation to seal off blood vessels and prevent additional bleeding in her brain.  On Thursday, April 9, 2015 her last surgery to remove the AVM was a success.  Her husband, John has not and will not leave her side throughout this entire process.  During her road to recovery she will need 24 hour assistance with her everyday life and taking care of their two small children.   

With your help and support we can make this recovery period a little easier for them.  No donation is too small and every little bit can help.  We thank you in advance for all your help.