Melissa Made It to Her Life-Saving Surgery — Now She Needs Us More Than Ever

​W​ednesday September 30th , Melissa underwent the tethered cord release surgery that her doctors had to move forward due to her worsening condition and most recent imaging.

Because of medical reasons, the two planned surgeries were switched around. Thankfully, the procedure went well.

But her journey is not over.

She still needs us.

Melissa is 43 years old and lives in Ghent, Belgium. She suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) combined with cranio-cervical instability (CCI/AAI). Following an accident, her neck could no longer support the weight of her head. She was forced to spend around 23 hours a day lying flat, living with severe pain and the constant fear that her condition could worsen.

The surgery she needed is not available ​.in Belgium. 

That is why Melissa had to travel all the way to New York to receive specialized treatment.

The tethered cord release has now been completed successfully.

Yesterday October 7th was the essential surgery .

Melissa underwent the skull and neck fusion surgery — the operation she originally travelled to the United States to receive.

This surgery was essential for her to complete the treatment she urgently needs.

Melissa must remain in the United States for continued medical supervision, follow-up, and rehabilitation. She cannot return home without receiving this necessary surgery.

T​hat means she needs to remain in the hospital, with her caregiver by her side, while she recovers .

Why we still need your help!!

The original fundraising campaign focused on raising the €200,000 needed for Melissa's major surgery.

Thanks to thousands of incredibly generous people, that goal was reached.

But getting Melissa to New York and keeping her there safely throughout this medical journey comes with significant additional costs.

Because Melissa cannot sit upright, she had to travel lying flat. 

She also needs adapted transportation, suitable accommodation close to the hospital, daily living expenses, and continued support from her caregiver.

Our travel and stay costs are estimated at approximately €13,000.

The flights have already been covered thanks to an anonymous donor who generously donated air miles.

The remaining costs include:

Any money left over will go directly toward Melissa's medical care, rehabilitation, and expenses related to this journey.

She made it this far because people believed in her.

Thousands of people shared her story.

Thousands of people donated.

People who had never met Melissa opened their hearts and helped give her a chance at life.

And yesterday, she took another important step toward receiving the complete treatment she needs.

But Melissa is still far from home.

She is recovering in New York, after this major surgery, and relying on the people around her ,while her body begins the long process of healing.

​Testimony from Brenda Yung

“During my search for a solution to my neurological problems and EDS, I met some of the best neurosurgeons in the world. 

I had to make a decision about who would open my skull and try to give me a better quality of life. 

I truly believe that the doctors I chose to operate on me played a crucial role in improving my life — especially since I have already undergone multiple brain and spine surgeries, and have two bulging discs that will also need to be treated eventually.
Dr. B. is not only my trusted neurosurgeon, but also my healthy dose of ‘tough love’: he gives me direct criticism when I don’t do my part of the deal and don’t keep my body strong enough to support all his hard work.
When you’ve had a medical relationship with a neurosurgeon for over twenty years, there are highs and lows, and we don’t always agree.

​But he always does what’s best for me. This man has saved my life multiple times. 

He’s the best in his field — he made my life possible and even gave me the chance to have two kids in the middle of all my surgeries. 

Finding a neurosurgeon who thinks along with you and tries to understand and solve your complex EDS situation is extremely rare. 

I can’t recommend Dr. B. enough for any fusion or decompression surgery. 

He’s incredibly good at what he does and a leading researcher with advanced techniques in neurosurgery — and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.”

Dr. B. not only gave me the life with my children but also walked me through my mommy worries, of giving my children my same birth defects. Dr. B was amazing at guiding me through the different therapies to keep my children off the surgical table. 

I own my life to Dr. B and my children know where they go if anything comes up. 

​W​ithout a doubt Dr. B is the only surgeon that will ever touch my spine.”

She knows what it means to be where Melissa is today. She knows the fear, the uncertainty, the pain — and what it means to finally receive the treatment you have been desperately waiting for.

Please don't stop now.

If you can donate, every contribution helps.

If you cannot donate, please share Melissa's story.

A single share can reach someone who can make a difference.

Melissa has already fought her way to the operating room.

Now let's help her get all the way home.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every person who has donated, shared, encouraged, prayed, supported, or simply believed in Melissa.

Her fight continues. But September 30th , she took an enormous step toward getting her life back.