Paige's Battle with Rare Illness

My Name is Michael Gannon. I have a wife and two daughters. We are a single income family. In October 2021 my daughter, Paige Gannon (7 years old at the time), went for a routine eye appointment to see if she needed glasses. During that appointment, the doctor advised us that her optic nerves were swollen and to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Our world then turned upside down. She started seeing many specialists after that. She ended up being diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial hypertension (IIH). IIH is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain increasing the pressure in the skull. This disease can lead to blindness, as well as diminished physical and mental function. She is seeing many specialists regularly throughout Pima County including a Neurologist, Ophthalmologist, Neuro-ophthalmologist, and ear nose and throat doctor. This comes with many transportation expenses. She has had numerous tests done to rule out what the cause of the disorder could be. The cause of it is still unknown at this time. It is a disorder that is very rare for children to have. She has been admitted to the hospital numerous times for MRIs, surgeries, lumbar punctures, and blood work throughout the past 3 years. She is currently taking many prescribed medications to assist in keeping the cerebrospinal fluid pressure down and treating the other side-effects from the disorder and medications.

She recently got accepted to be seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. This hospital is a top research and medical care facility in the country for pediatric care. She was able to go to the Mayo Clinic in August of 2024. She was able to see many specialists. She may also have Hypermobility/ Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS) along with IIH. She requires additional testing to be done to be diagnosed with HEDS. She is now set to return to the Mayo Clinic in January 2025 to have many additional tests done while also meeting with several new specialists. She is also going to be doing physical therapy appointments and other additional testing.

There are limited pediatric specialists in Arizona’s to handle these diagnosis. We are scheduled to go back to Mayo Clinic in January and also will be needing to go in the future. With this, comes costs including airfare and other unexpected travel expenses for our family.

Paige is so brave with everything she deals with on a daily basis. She is always in pain and struggles physically and emotionally with this illness.

We are asking for prayers for our family. We are very humbled at this moment and do not want to ask for money but in order for us to continue to travel for the care for our daughter, it will cost more money. I thank God for all your support. Thank you for your consideration in supporting us.

-Mike