My sister's 14 yr old child, Henry, is in need of a costly emergency surgery scheduled for early August that will decrease his risk of going completely blind. Please donate if you can and share with friends and colleagues.

Henry's Story....

Our family carries a highly rare genetic mutation that causes visual impairment and sometimes blindness when expressed. Sweet Henry, who is entering his freshman year of highschool, inherited this gene.

Henry was legally blind in his left eye most of his life. He relied on his relatively good right eye until a day before his 13th birthday when his right retina detached. Since then Henry has had multiple surgeries to repair and support his retina. Whereas these surgeries did not restore much sight, they did prevent blindness. However, Henry moved on with his right eye (which he once depended on for sight) weaker than the left.

Henry went in for an emergency examination this week with painful eye pressure and loss of effective sight. A cataract is practically blinding his right eye. He may need a new lens and special procedures to release the pressure and problem solve. Two surgeons will be doing three different kinds of surgery. The surgeons cannot tell whether his retina is detaching, but they guarantee the surgeries will be complex and expensive. Because the glaucoma specialist is out of network, the out of pocket for just one out of two specialists is estimated at $7,700.

It will be a rough start of the school year, but Henry is eager to have the surgery done now. The doctors will operate this Tuesday, and much of the costs are due upfront.

Today I am requesting that you help us raise $20,000 for my nephew's emergency surgeries, his recovery, and to help cover the costs of the many days his parents cannot work in order to be by his side while caring for their other children.

Henry deserves, as any child, to experience highschool, a most influential time, as a time of positive growth and fun with friends. With your help, his family will experience decreased stress, and Henry will have optimal sight.