Have a Heart for Tonya
Donation protected
Standing only 4'10", Tonya Ayres is large in heart. As a teacher's assistant for a local educational autism room, Tonya works with children who need a special blend of nurturing and support.
However, Tonya's big heart is now in trouble, and she needs our help. Born with Turner Syndrome, Tonya first had surgery on her abnormally narrow aorta - the largest artery in the body - while still a toddler. Then, at 16, Tonya required a special balloon be inserted in her aorta by a medical team in Boston, MA. Now, at 36, Tonya has a life-threatening aneurysm that Albany area hospitals can't fix.
This time, a more serious solution is needed: the aorta needs to be partially replaced and repaired with metal parts, and a heart valve replacement is also likely. Because of her unique body structure, specialists have declined to perform the procedure locally. Due to her Turner Syndrome, Tonya also presents a higher risk for post-surgical infections of the liver and kidneys. She has now been referred to a team of surgeons at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD.
Please follow the Tonya's Caring Bridge page for updates and more in-depth information: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tonyaayres
Tonya will need a weeklong hospital stay, and she will need to be out of work for at least three months. Insurance will cover the surgery, thankfully, but travel, a truckload of upcoming of co-pays and loss of a quarter year's wages will be financially devastating for this young survivor. You have the power to help make the immense burden more manageable. Your donation of any size can make a giant difference in her world, and she needs your help right now. There is an intense period of struggle after major surgery, and your donation will help her afford the follow-up trips and expenses, big and small, not covered by insurance. With your help, she won't be so devasted by what comes next...and she'll be back to being an adored aunt, a loving sister, a sassy daughter and a classroom champion for children with autism. Thank you, truly, for being a little hero for a big heart!
However, Tonya's big heart is now in trouble, and she needs our help. Born with Turner Syndrome, Tonya first had surgery on her abnormally narrow aorta - the largest artery in the body - while still a toddler. Then, at 16, Tonya required a special balloon be inserted in her aorta by a medical team in Boston, MA. Now, at 36, Tonya has a life-threatening aneurysm that Albany area hospitals can't fix.
This time, a more serious solution is needed: the aorta needs to be partially replaced and repaired with metal parts, and a heart valve replacement is also likely. Because of her unique body structure, specialists have declined to perform the procedure locally. Due to her Turner Syndrome, Tonya also presents a higher risk for post-surgical infections of the liver and kidneys. She has now been referred to a team of surgeons at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD.
Please follow the Tonya's Caring Bridge page for updates and more in-depth information: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tonyaayres
Tonya will need a weeklong hospital stay, and she will need to be out of work for at least three months. Insurance will cover the surgery, thankfully, but travel, a truckload of upcoming of co-pays and loss of a quarter year's wages will be financially devastating for this young survivor. You have the power to help make the immense burden more manageable. Your donation of any size can make a giant difference in her world, and she needs your help right now. There is an intense period of struggle after major surgery, and your donation will help her afford the follow-up trips and expenses, big and small, not covered by insurance. With your help, she won't be so devasted by what comes next...and she'll be back to being an adored aunt, a loving sister, a sassy daughter and a classroom champion for children with autism. Thank you, truly, for being a little hero for a big heart!
Organizer and beneficiary
Tabatha Ayres McFee
Organizer
Gloversville, NY
Tonya Ayres
Beneficiary