My name is Sean Freeburn and I set up this fundraiser for my sister, Melissa, who had a stroke on Friday, December 17th. Through testing, it was determined that the stroke was caused by a rare disease called Moyamoya disease.

Moyamoya is a chronic and progressive disease, meaning Melissa will need continued medical care for the rest of her life. This will include surgeries and other cares. I am hoping to help her and her husband, Eric, with household and medical bills while she recovers.

Melissa had just gotten home and was visiting with her daughter, Amber in the driveway when a bag she was holding slipped out of her hands. She picked the bag up only to drop it again. Amber noticed Melissa’s face wasn’t moving right. She asked Melissa to put her arms above her head. When she couldn’t do it, Amber quickly recognized she was having a stroke and called an ambulance.

Melissa was taken to UPMC in Harrisburg where doctors quickly confirmed the stroke and transported her by helicopter to Hershey Medical Center. Once there, she was taken into surgery to remove a blood clot that was blocking arteries in her neck and brain.

They weren’t able to remove all of the clot. Melissa doesn’t have full movement in her left arm and the left side of her face is drooping.

Despite all this, we are grateful for Amber’s quick response and for the doctors and nurses who have cared for her.

Melissa has a long road ahead of her. She has already missed work and will not be able to return for some time. As I mentioned, she will need surgeries in the future to bypass some of the blockage in her brain.

She has been transferred to Helen Simpson Rehabilitation Center to begin rehab.

Melissa and Eric are wonderful people and wouldn’t want to burden people to ask for help. She didn’t even want Amber to call an ambulance. That’s why I took it upon myself to set up this fundraiser.

She has a long road ahead of her and any amount you could donate will go a long way toward her recovery because she will be able to focus on getting better instead of worrying about bills – which she will anyway. It will also give Eric the ability to focus on caring for her.

If you know Melissa and Eric, you know they would never ask for help, but would be the first in line to offer it. Please consider donating any amount to help Melissa recover and get back on her feet!