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GOFUNDME (ENGLISH VERSION)
Why is Sydney’s dad pushing her wheelchair 200kms to meet with Premier Doug Ford ?
Our dear daughter Sydney Is Running Out of Time — Her Life-Saving Surgery Isn’t Available in Canada
Sydney's condition is supported by her doctors , her Elected Member in Ontario, multiple media stories, all fully documented below.
At only 27, Sydney has lost her independence, her health, her dignity, and her future to a severe neurological condition due to spinal cord compression. After trying every option, every specialist, every treatment, her doctor says her only chance is surgery in the United States.
As a family we have no choices left, we have exhausted every option available here in Canada.
Please kindly consider a gift to help save Sydney’s life.
Every donation helps, whether $20, $50, $100, it all helps.
On July 21, 2023, Sydney’s life changed forever.
She was stopped at a red light when her car was violently rear-ended by a driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel. In seconds, her life was utterly destroyed.
What was first diagnosed as a concussion quickly became a devastating, progressive neurological condition that has taken away her health, independence, dignity as a young woman, and daily functioning.
From a Full Life to Complete Dependence
Before the accident, Sydney was a healthy, active 24-year-old building a successful eyelash business, exercising regularly, traveling, hiking, and living independently.
Today, at 27, she is largely bed bound, rarely ever leaving the home except for doctors appointments.
She now completely relies on a cane, a wheelchair, a walker, and constant support from us, her family. She is unable to work, drive, cook, or manage basic daily tasks independently. Even simple movements such as standing, brushing her hair, or attempting to walk a few steps can trigger fainting, severe dizziness, or dangerous spikes in heart rate.
She now lives with over 30 severe symptoms, including:
• Chronic migraines
• Fainting and near-fainting episodes
• Severe dizziness and balance dysfunction
• Cognitive impairment and visual disturbances
• Difficulty breathing and swallowing
• Extreme fatigue and autonomic dysfunction (POTS) A Complex and Overlooked Condition Affecting her heart.
Every minute of every day, Sydney suffers in unspeakable ways.
For Sydney it never ends, never goes away.
After months of rapid decline, and no answers in Canada, Sydney independently identified a rare condition called Cranio-cervical Instability (CCI)—where the skull and upper spine are unstable, putting pressure on the brainstem and affecting blood flow to and from the brain.
Although the Ministry of Health will tell us differently, this condition is not widely recognized or treated within the Canadian healthcare system, and there are currently no Canadian neurosurgeons performing the required surgery.
Ask anyone in Canada that suffers from CCI, do a Facebook search, see for yourself how many Canadians suffer without access to treatment.
Sydney underwent specialized testing in May 2025 in New York City and was formally diagnosed and approved for surgery. Her surgeon currently waits for her.
Her condition is also validated with a Canadian neurosurgeon support letter confirming her diagnosis and medical findings, strengthening her case for treatment, yet still being denied for OHIP Out of Country Funding.
Her care is further supported by her Provincial MPP, a Canadian neurosurgeon, and not one, but two international neurosurgeons.
Sydney is currently represented by Cambridge LLP, a widely respected law firm, who are currently appealing her OHIP Out-of-Country (OOC) application.
A successful appeal would be precedent-setting and could change access to care in Canadian medicine for future patients.
Dr. Bolognese, a world-leading pioneer in cranial-cervical fusion surgery, completed Sydney’s pre-operative procedure last May, and has accepted her as a patient as soon as she is able to travel. Many of his patients have gone on to live normal lives. See the media statements from survivors below given during our lobbying day at Queen's Park April 1st, 2026.
These survivors voluntarily joined Sydney, joined by her MPP, to support her effort to access care. Please see the video below.
Sydney’s medical journey is also expected to contribute valuable clinical data that may help many other patients diagnosed with CCI in the future.
Immediate Care Available in the United States (Not Canada)
Sydney’s only viable treatment option is in the United States. Immediate surgical care is available at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where she has been assessed by specialists familiar with her condition. Her pre-operative invasive cervical traction procedure was completed in New York under Dr. Bolognese, further confirming surgical candidacy:
This level of urgent neurosurgical intervention is not available in Canada, where she has been repeatedly told there are no appropriate specialists or surgical pathways for her diagnosis.
No Options Left in Canada
• 12 neurosurgeons in Ontario declined her case
• No Canadian surgeons currently perform this surgery
• Her application for out-of-country funding through OHIP was denied after months of review
Despite exhaustive efforts, there are no remaining treatment options within Canada.
The Cost of Treatment
The total cost of Sydney’s life-saving care is:
$365,703 USD ($493,700 CAD)
Breakdown:
• Diagnostic testing (ICP/ICT): $25,000 USD ($33,750 CAD)
• Cranio-cervical fusion surgery: $261,005 USD ($352,357 CAD)
• ICU recovery & post-operative care: $42,662 USD ($57,593 CAD)
• Initial testing in New York (April 2024): $37,037 USD ($50,000 CAD)
Sydney's neurosurgeon agrees this treatment is not elective—it is her only path to stabilization and survival.
Sydney’s Advocacy and Fight for Other Canadians
Despite her severe disability, Sydney has become a determined advocate for patients facing the same barriers.
Her advocacy includes:
• Filing a formal Human Rights Complaint for lack of access to care
• Appealing her OHIP out-of-country funding denial (supported by Cambridge LLP)
• Being featured in national media, including a TVO podcast and CBC News article
• Having her case raised multiple times in the Ontario Legislature by MPP Teresa Armstrong
• Participating in a Queen’s Park CCI/EDS Lobby Day and press conference
• Filing complaints with the Ontario Ombudsman and Patient Ombudsman
• Developing a detailed guide to help other patients navigate the system
Media and public documentation:
Watch Sydney’s story and see why this life-saving surgery is so urgent.
Start Here – Sydney’s Story in Her Own Words Sydney’s Speech – Lobbying Day (April 1, 2026):
A powerful firsthand account of Sydney’s fight for access to life-saving care https://youtu.be/aNecdvccE-8
Frontline Advocacy – The Reality of Her Fight Sydney’s Press Conference – Queen’s Park:
Sydney speaks publicly about her condition and the urgent need for treatment https://youtu.be/z7jTHo5wczA
Joe’s Press Conference – Queen’s Park:
A father’s perspective on the devastating impact and the fight to save his daughter https://youtu.be/UzzN2jRbqmQ
National Media Coverage - CBC News Article:
National coverage of Sydney’s case and the barriers to care in Canada https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/ontario-woman-seeking-spine-care-1.7512862
TVO Ontario / MIS Treated Podcast - (YouTube):
In-depth interview highlighting gaps in the healthcare system and Sydney’s journey https://youtu.be/c_2beNvXkXA
Government Recognition – Ontario Legislature April 1, 2026:
Every view, share, and donation truly makes a difference—thank you for helping Sydney get the care she urgently needs.
Supported by Patients Canada - Sydney’s case is also supported by a registered Canadian charity:
How You Can Help Sydney has exhausted all available medical options in Canada. This surgery is her only chance at stability, reduced suffering, and any possibility of recovery.
Every donation—no matter the amount—brings her closer to life-saving treatment. If you cannot donate, sharing her story makes a real difference.
From Our Family : we are deeply grateful for every message, every share, and every donation, no matter how small.
Thank you for standing with Sydney during this critical time. ❤️
********************************************************GOFUNDME --- VERSIONE ITALIANA
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IL TEMPO STA FINENDO: Aiutiamo Sydney a ottenere l'intervento chirurgico salvavita negato in
Canada
A soli 27 anni, Sydney sta lottando per la sua sopravvivenza. Quello che doveva essere il momento più bello della sua vita si è trasformato in un incubo a causa di gravi condizioni neurologiche e genetiche.
Dopo aver esaurito ogni singola opzione nel sistema sanitario Canadese, la sua unica possibilità di salvezza è un intervento neurochirurgico urgente negli Stati Uniti.
Questo non è un intervento opzionale: è una questione di vita o di morte.
Ogni minuto conta. Vi preghiamo di considerare una donazione oggi stesso.
Il secondo che ha cambiato tutto: dall'indipendenza alla sedia a rotelle
Il 21 luglio 2023 la vita di Sydney si è fermata a un semaforo rosso. Un'auto l'ha tamponata violentemente a causa di un colpo di sonno del conducente.
In pochi secondi, tutto è crollato. Quella che sembrava una comune commozione cerebrale si è progressivamente trasformata in una devastante patologia neurologica che le ha tolto tutto: salute, sogni e
indipendenza.
• Prima dell'incidente: Sydney era una ragazza di 24 anni sana, attiva, indipendente. Aveva avviato un'attività di successo nel settore dell'estetica (extension ciglia), amava le escursioni, i viaggi e
l'allenamento.
• Oggi (a 27 anni): È costretta a vivere reclusa in casa. Dipende totalmente da una sedia a rotelle, da un deambulatore e dall'assistenza continua della sua famiglia. Non può lavorare, guidare, cucinare o fare una doccia da sola.
Sydney convive ogni giorno con oltre 30 sintomi invalidanti, tra cui svenimenti continui, gravi crisi di instabilità cardiaca (POTS), emicranie croniche e lancinanti, e difficoltà respiratorie e di deglutizione.
Oggi, il cranio e le prime vertebre della colonna di Sydney sono letteralmente instabili, "schiacciando" il tronco encefalico e alterando il flusso sanguigno al cervello. I'Instabilità Cranio-Cervicale (CCI)
Trattandosi di una malattia grave, dovrebbero godere della massima tutela e protezione da parte dello Stato. Invece, Sydney si è scontrata con un muro di gomma: questa condizione non è ampiamente riconosciuta dal sistema canadese e nessun neurochirurgo in Canada esegue l'intervento di fusione necessario. 12 specialisti dell'Ontario hanno rifiutato il suo caso e l'ente assicurativo statale (OHIP) ha respinto la richiesta di copertura all'estero.
La speranza ha un nome: Dr. Bolognese (New York)
Sydney è volata a New York per test specialistici invasivi che hanno confermato l'idoneità chirurgica
Il Dr. Paolo Bolognese, pioniere mondiale nella fusione cranio-cervicale in pazienti con CCI, l'ha accettata come paziente al Mount Sinai Hospital New York City. Molti dei suoi pazienti sono tornati a
una vita normale.
Trasparenza Finanziaria: Dove andranno i fondi
L'unica barriera tra Sydney e la sua guarigione è economica.
Il costo totale delle cure negli Stati Uniti ammonta a 365.703 USD (circa 493.700 CAD).
Ecco l'esatta scomposizione dei costi clinici richiesti:
Prestazione Medica : Costo in USD / Costo in CAD
Test Diagnostici Iniziali a NY (Aprile 2024) $37.037 USD / $50.000 CAD
Test Specialistici (ICP/ICT) $25.000 USD / $33.750 USD
Intervento di Fusione Cranio-Cervicale $261.005 USD / $352.357 CAD
Terapia Intensiva e Cure Post-Operatorie $42.662 USD / $57.593 CAD
TOTALE $365.703 USD / $493.700 CAD
Una guerriera in prima linea: La battaglia legale di Sydney
Nonostante le sue condizioni critiche, Sydney non sta lottando solo per se stessa. È diventata la voce di migliaia di malati invisibili e affetti da CCI:
• Ha avviato una causa legale supportata dallo stimato studio Cambridge LLP per fare ricorso contro il rifiuto dell'OHIP. Vincere questo ricorso creerà un precedente storico per tutti i futuri pazienti con malattie in Canada.
• Ha partecipato in prima persona a una giornata di lobbying dedicata proprio a CCI a Queen's Park, e il suo caso è stato discusso ripetutamente nel Parlamento dell'Ontario.
• È sostenuta ufficialmente dall'ente benefico nazionale Patients Canada.
Media e Documentazione Pubblica (Verifica il suo caso)
La storia di Sydney è reale, documentata e supportata da istituzioni e media nazionali. Puoi approfondire
qui:
• Conferenza Stampa a Queen's Park:
• Copertura giornalistica nazionale: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/ontario-woman-seeking-spine-care-1.7512862
• Dibattito in Parlamento dell'Ontario:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1UWN8bnPhW/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AXNJeLKai/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Come puoi fare la differenza OGGI
Sydney ha esaurito ogni risorsa e ogni tempo a sua disposizione. Questo intervento è la sua unica strada verso la sopravvivenza e la fine di un dolore inimmaginabile.
1. Dona quanto puoi: Ogni singola donazione, anche la più piccola, è un mattone fondamentale per ricostruire la sua vita.
2. Condividi questa pagina: Se non puoi donare, condividi questo link sui tuoi social o con i tuoi contatti. La condivisione è un atto d'amore potente.
“Dalla nostra famiglia, un grazie profondo e sincero per ogni messaggio, preghiera, condivisione e
donazione. Grazie per non lasciare Sydney da sola in questa battaglia.”
Organizer
