Update! Abby’s IBStim Implant

Abby Akins is a 17-year-old junior in highschool and was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome at Mayo Clinic this last March. This defect means she has at least one (possibly multiple) extra electrical connections in her heart. This defect with her history runs a higher risk of sudden death. Abby is now facing a heart procedure coming up June 17th 2024 that will hopefully remove any electrical connections that should not be there.

Some history about Abby: Abby's battle started at birth. At age 5 she faced a new battle: Epstein Barr Virus and Cytomegalovirus. This was a detrimental moment in Abby's health and she could not recover back to a normal state of health. Abby had swelling of the brain that put pressure on her eyes and enlarged liver and spleen for 8 months which meant that she had to be homeschooled.

Many of you may be aware, Abby was diagnosed with Dysautonmoia, Tachycardia, P.O.T.S. and Gastroparesis 6 years ago. Abby's battle is and has been significant. She was near organ failure, finding her strength and perseverance to stay alive for 18 days in the hospital. Abby was hospitalized twice that year with extended stays. She had to be homeschooled for 3 years (2 of those years were spent in bed at ages 12 and 13). She suffered through force feedings due to her gastroparesis, all while enduring daily medical appointments. Abby started her Mayo Clinic journey in 2021. Abby went twice that year, one stay being a month long in order to not only rehabilitate her physical body but also educate her on managing a lifelong chronic illness. Mayo Clinic worked with Abby to save her life. To this day, Abby continues to travel to Minnesota yearly for treatment with her mom. Abby's team works diligently to help her to have in-school experiences, modified sports experiences (the girl LOVES basketball!), as well as modified work/life experience. We have a strong belief system that chronic illness will not take the front seat in her life. Throughout this challange, we strive hard for her to have quality in her life. She may not show it to you, but every day/moment you see her she is battling these illnesses that most of us would not be able to push through.

The future: This kid's dream is to be a Formula-One Driver. Lets all pull together and help Abby get in the driver seat of life and put this chronic illness in the back seat where it belongs. We are raising money to help with the deductible of her medical expenses which are astronomical, even with insurance. Please share with family and friends. I know it's time to reach out to our communites and give the support this kid deserves!

Funds will be used towards her medical costs, high insurance deductibles. Abby and her family will travel for her procedure. Extra costs include, hotel rooms during procedure time.