Support Danielle's Recovery from Brain Surgery

Help Danielle Eakins Heal After Brain Surgery

Dear Family and Friends of Danielle and Jeremy,

It is with hopeful spirits that we reach out to you today about someone we hold dear, our sister, Danielle Eakins. Danielle has been diagnosed with a Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) in her frontal lobe, a rare and serious condition that requires urgent brain surgery.

What happened:

On April 17th, Danielle had a stroke while at home on the Big Island of Hawaii. The stroke resulted from a bleed from what has now been determined to be a large cavernous malformation in her left frontal lobe — a critical area of the brain responsible for speech, movement, and sensory control. The initial size of the CCM was 2.7 by 2.5 cm, a large CCM, and the only treatment options were to either monitor it or remove it through surgery.

Since then, Danielle has been to the emergency department five times with seizures and another stroke. Recent imaging shows the CCM has grown to 3.8 by 3.2 cm, with three times the volume of blood now placing pressure on her brain, leading to cognitive, speech, and movement deficits. The only option now is surgery.

The Surgery and Recovery Journey:

Danielle will undergo a craniotomy on Tuesday, May 6th, a major surgical procedure in a very sensitive area of her brain. The CCM has not behaved as expected, and it has grown significantly. While initially the plan was to monitor the CCM, the latest imaging showed further complications, leading to the decision for surgery. Following the craniotomy, Danielle will need to stay in Honolulu for intensive recovery and rehabilitation.

What does recovery look like for Danielle?

Why GoFundMe?

Danielle and Jeremy have no family living on the islands. Their amazing friends on Oʻahu are temporarily housing them (and their dog, Moose) and providing essential medical and emotional support. But we know that friends and family from across the mainland and around the world will want to help during this challenging time.

This surgery and recovery will require significant financial support. Jeremy, who owns a spearfishing business on the Big Island, has had to cancel many weeks of business in order to stay by Danielle’s side. Danielle, a licensed clinical psychologist, will also be unable to work for an extended period. With the likelihood that they will need to maintain two homes on two islands and the loss of income, they need us — their family and friends — to come together and help raise them up so they can heal and come out of this stronger.

Our Goal: $50,000

We are raising funds to ease their financial burdens and allow Danielle to focus fully on her recovery. Your donations will go directly toward:

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference. It will remind Danielle and Jeremy that they are not alone, and that they are surrounded by family, friends, and a community that loves and supports them.

If you prefer to send money directly, Danielle and Jeremy’s Venmo accounts are:

@jeremyselg

@danielle-eakins

Their physical mailing address is:

PO Box 1431

Kona, HI 96745

If you are unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this campaign with your community. Your support in any form means the world to us.

Thank you for your love, generosity, and support. Together, we can help Danielle heal and rebuild.

With endless gratitude,

Marianne McKnight and Brooke Selg