Pineal Cyst Brain Surgery funds for Dina Santos

This GoFundMe has been set up for Dina Santos, a 45 yr. old wonderful mother, wife, sister, daughter, artist, educator and special education teacher who is scheduled for brain surgery (occipital craniotomy) in six to eight weeks. We are raising funds to help with medical and travel expenses to South Carolina for the surgery. The brain surgery will require a 2-3 day hospital stay, and an additional 10 days in Charleston. Dina will also need to visit her MUSC medical team for a 3 month postoperative visit.

Dina has been struggling with symptoms since 2019 and an MRI in 2022 revealed a 5mm Pineal Cyst. More recently, Dina is having progressively worsening symptoms. Most days, she is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. She is often in bed feeling unwell, instead of spending time with her awesome 9 year old son, husband, and enjoying all life has to offer!

Her symptoms include: migraine headaches (approx. 6-7 a month), fatigue, cognitive impairment, memory and executive functioning struggles, whole body muscle twitching, tongue pain, unknown fevers, low blood pressure and most recent is stuttering and speech issues. If not at work, Dina is in bed not feeling well because of these issues.

Most neurosurgeons do not offer removal of the cyst due the dangerous location of the Pineal Gland, which is in the center of the brain. However, a specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) offers a very rare surgery to remove the Pineal Gland and Cyst.

MUSC is one of two places in the entire United States that offers this surgery. Once Dina’s cyst is removed, the tissue will undergo pathology to determine if the cyst is benign. Most often, these cysts are non-cancerous (less than 1% chance).

As an avid runner and health advocate, you would usually find Dina on the beach, exercising, enjoying the outdoors, hiking, making art, and spending time with her husband and son before these neurological symptoms have put her life on hold.

The Santos Family NEEDS YOUR HELP! Let’s help Dina get the care she needs so she can return to a flourishing life!