MALS surgery and nutcracker syndrome

Autumn Schmidt is an 18-year-old music student who wants to head off to college in the fall, but a recent diagnosis of two very rare conditions, MALS and Nutcracker Syndrome, has put college in serious jeopardy. Nutcracker syndrome is a rare vein compression disorder. MALS (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome) occurs when the arc-shaped band of tissue in the chest area presses on or traps the artery that supplies blood to the organs in your upper abdomen. The syndromes have also caused a condition called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). This disorder affects blood flow and can make someone feel faint or dizzy. It happens when the autonomic nervous system (ANS) doesn't work as it should. Currently, she is only being treated for MALS. The surgery needed for MALS is out of state due to limited people skilled in these diseases; unfortunately, insurance is not covering the costs. These costs have now eaten up a large chunk of the college savings. Because of this, we really need help raising money to make her happy and healthy again soon.