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HELP SAVE JEORGIA’S LIFE - URGENT NEUROSURGERY NEEDED
My name is Francesca Caruso and I am reaching out with a heartfelt mission to support my dear friends, Karen and Keith Powers, during an incredible difficult time. Their beautiful daughter, Jeorgia Powers, is in urgent need of a life saving surgery.
Jeorgia, has had her life completely turned upside down by a
devastating medical journey. She should be in school, planning her future and seeing friends. Instead she has been completely bed ridden, in constant pain, since May, 2023. She was only 16 when this crippling change happened .
She has lost all of her independence and has been totally bed ridden for nearly three years. Jeorgia can’t tolerate sound or light, read or watch TV. Visits from treasured friends are now too much.
And yet she continues to fight every single day, holding onto her dreams of a future where she can be with other people, and live a full, meaningful life.
I am humbly asking on behalf of the family for your help to save Jeorgia’s life and give her a chance at the future she deserves. Please help give her the chance to get out of bed, to walk again, live her beautiful life and to reclaim her future.
Surgery is Jeorgia’s only chance and without it, she will continue
to decline.
Every dollar, every share, every kind word matters. Even if you cannot donate, sharing this page can help reach someone who can.
Jeorgia has an underlying disease called Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) which has impacted her brain and spine. She has Craniocervical Instability (CCI) which means the ligaments in her neck are so weak that her neck can’t support her head, impacting her brain stem and spinal
cord. She has a Tethered Spinal Cord. The cervical spine instability has caused a Jugular Vein compression which impedes blood flow from her brain. These conditions progress over time and may cause irreversible damage if left untreated. These conditions are treatable but there is no neurosurgical specialist in Canada for EDS patients, leaving Jeorgia in unimaginable pain.
For years the family tried and exhausted every possible avenue in Canada while Jeorgia suffers and deteriorates. All this while, surgery for her conditions exist in the USA. They have had their MPP involved this whole process trying to help, but Jeorgia cannot wait any longer. She needs surgery right away.
Over time, her symptoms have worsened: She is unable to sit up at all or move her head without severe pain and neurological symptoms. She has growing numbness in parts of her body. Jeorgia struggles with head, back and neck pain, is developing swallowing issues as well as vision changes.
Intracranial pressure issues have increased due to the jugular compression caused by her cervical instability and she has developed CSF leaks in her spine.
The Gap In Canadian Care
No neurosurgeon in Ontario has the expertise to treat Jeorgia’s complex conditions.
St. Michael’s Hospital, one of the leading neurosurgery centres in the province confirmed this after consulting with their neurosurgical team who rejected Jeorgia’s referrals and stated they don’t know of any neurosurgeon in Canada who treats these conditions related to EDS. They have no one to refer her to. She spent four months seeking care at Shriners in Montreal, only to be told after reviewing her imaging that Jeorgia was out of their scope.
There Is a Surgeon Who Can Help
There are a handful of neurosurgeons in the U.S.A who specialize in Jeorgia’s exact conditions and EDS, who have successfully treated patients from around the world who recover and live productive lives.
Costs for her needed surgeries:
ICP bolt invasive surgical pre-testing for CCI surgery $25,000 USD
CCI surgery: Base quote $228,790 USD
Tethered cord surgery - $100,761 USD
Your donation will go directly toward:
• The cost of Jeorgia’s life-saving neurosurgeries, additional tests and consults
• Travel costs for Jeorgia and her caregivers
• Medical equipment and post-operative care and rehabilitation
• Any additional hospital charges
On behalf of Jeorgia and family, Thank you in advance for your compassion, generosity, and belief in Jeorgia’s fight for life. ❤️
Government engagement
• MPP Rob Cerjanec presenting a petition in legislature in Nov, to provide CCI care in Ontario https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRkDaNVESvd/
• engaged Doug Ford and have an email response from him that Hon. Sylvia Jones would contact them, but she didn’t
• Teresa Armstrong MPP - raised this issue in legislature. It is impacting all patients in Ontario, however, she has had no success in gaining access to needed care.
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• The UK also recently addressed in parliament a mirrored situation of Jeorgia’s.
Organizer and beneficiary
Karen Powers
Beneficiary