$1,860 raised
·41 donations
Mia’s Life Saving Brain Surgery
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Jessica and i’m setting up this Gofundme for my 22 year old childhood best friend Mia to give her a shot at LIVING.
Mia deals with a plethora of diagnoses, ranging from roll over types of ehlers danlos syndrome (vascular, hyper mobility & classical types), epilepsy, gastroparisis & many more. Because of these Mia has never experienced a normal childhood OR adulthood.
The biggest strain on Mia’s health, and the scariest diagnosis yet has been her Chiari Malformation Type 1. Chiari malformation type 1 is when the part of the skull that holds the brain is deformed and applying pressure to the brain, forcing it down toward the brain stem. This has now developed to a point of not only giving her excruciating pain, but is now messing with other organs and parts of her body than ever before- including her heart.
Although Mia has been ill and dealing with this diagnosis since before we met as young kids, she’s always been one of the strongest and hardest working people i have ever met. Even on her bad days, when she can’t manage to get out of bed, she never fails to smile & laugh, offer a shoulder to cry on or even offer a helping hand if you needed it. Her resilience is truly remarkable.
I can remember countless times as a kid myself hearing about the doctors who couldnt help her because it was too risky or they were under qualified- and i can remember many times they told us she wouldnt make it past certain ages and I had to grieve my still living friend, and every time Mia has defied the odds and kept on fighting.
In April of this year Mia traveled from Kansas City to the Colorado Chiari Institute for one final consultation with a qualified brain surgeon, who told her the surgery would be possible but only if we did so NOW. After decades of fighting damn near every day just to live a normal pain free life- now she’s been given a bigger shot than EVER before. A shot at being able to live.
Mia’s surgery has been scheduled for July 10th of this year, leaving us just a couple of months to fundraise and get the funds she needs in order to make this happen. She will remain in Colorado for the first month after surgery before coming home to finish out another estimated 2-3 months of recovery time, that of which she will more than likely be wheelchair bound.
She’s always shyed away from asking for help as she is SO independent, even works a full time job on top of dealing with everything she does just so she can take care of herself and not having to leave that pressure for her loved ones.
Between travel costs, cost of surgery itself, costs of medications she’s already taking (epilepsy meds, heart meds, and even chemo), being out of work and being able to rest we’ve estimated a $15,000 goal to make sure Mia has comfort, warm food & a warm home to come back home to here in KC.
Mia has never lived a normal life, and while this isn’t a solution to every diagnosis- this surgery will allow her to LIVE. She will no longer have to live with such excruciating pain and stress and she’ll be able to stop worrying about whether or not she will make it to see tomorrows sunrise.
If everyone who came across this donated $1 or even just shared, you’d be giving the gift of LIFE to someone so, SO deserving.
Even if you cannot donate PLEASE share and keep Mia and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
If you would like to stay updated on Mia’s journey you can follow her Facebook page “Mia’s Journey” with the same profile picture as the one above. I will also soon be updating this with information to donate directly to Mia herself if that’s something you’d prefer. We will also be holding local fundraisers here in Kansas City that you will eventually be able to find on her Facebook page.
Miracles happen every day, and Mia is living proof of it. Let’s give my best friend one last great shot at getting to stay ALIVE and freed from this debilitating condition.
Mia deals with a plethora of diagnoses, ranging from roll over types of ehlers danlos syndrome (vascular, hyper mobility & classical types), epilepsy, gastroparisis & many more. Because of these Mia has never experienced a normal childhood OR adulthood.
The biggest strain on Mia’s health, and the scariest diagnosis yet has been her Chiari Malformation Type 1. Chiari malformation type 1 is when the part of the skull that holds the brain is deformed and applying pressure to the brain, forcing it down toward the brain stem. This has now developed to a point of not only giving her excruciating pain, but is now messing with other organs and parts of her body than ever before- including her heart.
Although Mia has been ill and dealing with this diagnosis since before we met as young kids, she’s always been one of the strongest and hardest working people i have ever met. Even on her bad days, when she can’t manage to get out of bed, she never fails to smile & laugh, offer a shoulder to cry on or even offer a helping hand if you needed it. Her resilience is truly remarkable.
I can remember countless times as a kid myself hearing about the doctors who couldnt help her because it was too risky or they were under qualified- and i can remember many times they told us she wouldnt make it past certain ages and I had to grieve my still living friend, and every time Mia has defied the odds and kept on fighting.
In April of this year Mia traveled from Kansas City to the Colorado Chiari Institute for one final consultation with a qualified brain surgeon, who told her the surgery would be possible but only if we did so NOW. After decades of fighting damn near every day just to live a normal pain free life- now she’s been given a bigger shot than EVER before. A shot at being able to live.
Mia’s surgery has been scheduled for July 10th of this year, leaving us just a couple of months to fundraise and get the funds she needs in order to make this happen. She will remain in Colorado for the first month after surgery before coming home to finish out another estimated 2-3 months of recovery time, that of which she will more than likely be wheelchair bound.
She’s always shyed away from asking for help as she is SO independent, even works a full time job on top of dealing with everything she does just so she can take care of herself and not having to leave that pressure for her loved ones.
Between travel costs, cost of surgery itself, costs of medications she’s already taking (epilepsy meds, heart meds, and even chemo), being out of work and being able to rest we’ve estimated a $15,000 goal to make sure Mia has comfort, warm food & a warm home to come back home to here in KC.
Mia has never lived a normal life, and while this isn’t a solution to every diagnosis- this surgery will allow her to LIVE. She will no longer have to live with such excruciating pain and stress and she’ll be able to stop worrying about whether or not she will make it to see tomorrows sunrise.
If everyone who came across this donated $1 or even just shared, you’d be giving the gift of LIFE to someone so, SO deserving.
Even if you cannot donate PLEASE share and keep Mia and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
If you would like to stay updated on Mia’s journey you can follow her Facebook page “Mia’s Journey” with the same profile picture as the one above. I will also soon be updating this with information to donate directly to Mia herself if that’s something you’d prefer. We will also be holding local fundraisers here in Kansas City that you will eventually be able to find on her Facebook page.
Miracles happen every day, and Mia is living proof of it. Let’s give my best friend one last great shot at getting to stay ALIVE and freed from this debilitating condition.
Donations
Co-organizers (2)
Jessica Bolinger
Organizer
Kansas City, MO
Mia Alexander
Beneficiary
Virginia Dillinger Alexander
Co-organizer