Hello Everyone!

I created this account to help my friend Ms. Albert, a teacher at my children's school and overall, just a wonderful human being!

Tracey is an amazing, enthusiastic, funny, and dedicated second-grade teacher. She is one of the most selfless and kindest people I have ever known.

She has dedicated the past 29 years of her life to educating our youth. Molding their little minds, providing them with not only academic instruction but emotional support and character education, as well. She loves her students unconditionally and strives to bring out the best in each one of them. Tracey has been a teacher at Bentley Elementary in Sanford for the past 19 years and has impacted not just the approximate 350 students who have been in her class, but also the thousands who have attended the school. It doesn't take long for students to hear about and get to know Ms. Albert! She joined the PTA board in 2004 and has organized spirit nights at local restaurants to raise money for the school ever since, so students and families get to know her from these events. She attends practically every event held at the school to support the children and her colleagues. Finally, when no one else did, she stepped up to take the position as PTA President for the 2021-2022 school year and has donated countless hours working on PTA projects like the fall fundraiser, schoolwide assemblies, and still arranged and attended the monthly spirit nights. I can go on and on about how wonderful she is, but those who know Tracey know the list is endless!

The reason for this account is that Tracey has been struggling with a health issue for the past six months and is now having surgery to hopefully fix the issue. It began the first day of Thanksgiving break when Tracey went to get her annual eye exam. She was told she needed a stronger prescription, and there was some inflammation behind her eyes. Seeking a second opinion, she went the following day to a different optometrist who sent her to the ER immediately. From there, Tracey was admitted to the hospital where she would spend the next 8 days having one test and procedure after another as a team of doctors struggled to figure out what was happening to her. The neurologist explained had she not come to the emergency room when she had, within a few weeks she would have become completely blind. The diagnosis is called pseudotumor cerebri and occurs when cerebral fluid does not drain properly from the brain. Instead of draining through the brain's veins and arteries like it should, the fluid builds up and pools behind the optic nerves pushing them forward against the eyeballs, which affects eyesight and causes intense pressure and pain. There is only one medication for this illness, and even though she has been on the maximum dose for several months, her body is not responding well to it. According to her neurosurgeon, surgery is her only hope to save her from chronic headaches for the rest of her life and imminent blindness in the next 12-24 months.

What you need to know about Tracey, though, is that despite all her medical issues and doctor visits she has continued to be a wonderful and committed teacher to her 2nd graders, a phenomenal PTA President, and a great colleague to her 2nd grade teammates. In fact, she has even decided to reprise her role as PTA President for the 2022-2023 school year, not knowing what her future holds. She is that committed to Bentley and its students.

Tracey's surgery is this week, and her insurance company has not yet approved it. Per her doctor's recommendation, she should not wait any longer, so it is imperative that she finds a way to finance this surgery. So, not only can Tracey use our thoughts and prayers, but since she supports herself on a modest teacher's salary, I know she will be unable to pay for the surgery, hospital bills, and all that goes with an in-patient hospital stay by herself. With your help, I would also like to help Tracey alleviate some of the stress brought on by future medical expenses, copays, prescriptions, and lodging when she travels to and from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

A donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated, as these funds will be used to pay for the surgery, lodging, and any and all medical expenses for follow up care.

Thank you in advance, God bless you.