On April 4, Brecken experienced her first seizure, while on shift at the fire station at her job in Eagle River Fire District. She was quickly transferred to the hospital in Vail and cared for. Breck has an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) which is a tangle of blood vessels that creates irregular connections between arteries and veins in the brain that can cause seizures. Breck's AVM is on her left frontal lobe, which is where the language center is located. So traditional brain surgery is high risk, with potential to lose speech and function on the right side of her body.

Since April, we've traveled and gotten opinions from multiple specialists. She has established care at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona and will be getting proton radiation surgery this winter. With the radiation, she might need multiple rounds and then eventually will get open brain surgery to finally clear out the AVM completely if it shrinks enough.

If you know Brecken you know her infectious energy and positive attitude, and how fun she can make every day. She was valedictorian of Fire Academy last summer, and has dedicated her life to be a civil servant. But she has had to slow down, which means she's been off the engine, not being able to compete this summer, and even her regular level of activity. We're hoping that she can return to a normal life.

This fundraiser will help ease the financial burdens caused by Breck's travel, medical bills, recovery, and time away from work.

We're so appreciative of any support, positive thought, or share that you can give. It's gonna be a long journey, but if anyone can do it, it's Brecken.

Learn more about AVMs and brain surgery at https://taafonline/org