Help Maddie Fight Moyamoya

Maddie is our sister, daughter and best friend.

Maddie has recently been diagnosed with a devastating progressive brain disease called Moyamoya Disease and is fighting for her life at only 21 years old. She has had several mini-strokes, her speech has been affected and the right side of her body has uncontrollable movements. She is unable to work or drive and struggles with day to day tasks.

Maddie has been referred to Boston Children's Hospital for a lengthy complex surgery on both sides of her brain. Without this surgery Maddie has a 66-90% risk of a fatal hemorrhagic stroke. This disease affects 1 in one million people in the US, and has no cure, only treatment. Due to severe narrowing of the main vessels in her brain her brain is essentially being deprived of necessary blood and oxygen. The surgery will reroute vessels from her face and scalp to her brain. There is a 4-7% chance of a stroke during surgery or within the month after the operation. Recovery is hard. Maddie and her mom will be traveling to Boston for surgery at the end of this month.

Despite years of painful headaches, seizures, dizziness, and fainting Maddie just received her culinary degree and is often working 3 jobs- she never gives up and is the bravest, hardest working person we know. She dreams of becoming a head chef or opening her own restaurant one day and did not ever imagine her life would take this devastating turn.

Moyamoya is an aggressive disease. Even after this life saving surgery she will have a 1 in 6 chance of needing another brain surgery if/when her other main vessels narrow. She will be on lifelong medication and require lifelong medical follow up.

Maddie is a light to everyone around her with a heart of gold who is always there for everyone else. Maddie needs our help now.

We are asking for your help to raise money for her medical bills, travel expenses, therapies, and anything else she may need as she adjusts to her new 'normal'. Her sister and mom are helping her as much as they can, but Maddie's 3 younger siblings have a rare disease (Senior Loken Syndrome) and 2 of them have kidney transplants, which requires extensive care. Any donation will help Maddie and we greatly appreciate it.

We know more than most that each day is a gift and God is faithful. Maddie is truly a miracle! She is tough as nails and will beat this!! If you cannot donate please continue to lift her and her family in prayer and share this on social media. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.