Many of you followed our fundraiser last June for our beloved daughter Elizabeth, now known as Sister Mary Savio, a religious sister with the Sisters of St. Thomas Aquinas. She has devoted her life to serving God, her community, and others.

Six months ago, after living with immense pain, Sister Mary Savio was diagnosed with intracranial hypertension, a condition involving excess fluid and pressure around the brain, along with compression near the C1 and C2 vertebrae that was restricting blood flow at the brainstem. Because her surgery had to be performed by a specialist in Germany, it was not covered by insurance. Thanks to your generosity and prayers, she underwent that surgery in June and found real relief.

In the three months since, however, she has suffered increasing abdominal and back pain and significant weight loss. Her doctors have identified several additional conditions that require surgery. The cost of the operation and aftercare is $92,000.

This is a long and serious operation in which the doctors will perform four procedures to treat the following:

All funds raised go directly to the Sisters of St. Thomas Aquinas. Any donation, large or small, will be deeply appreciated and will help relieve the burden on our family and the Sisters.

Please offer your prayers for her surgeons and medical team as she goes into surgery tomorrow, Friday, September 25: for a safe surgery, an easy recovery, and especially for her to bear this cross with perseverance. If you are unable to give, please consider sharing this page and praying for Sister Mary Savio, the Sisters, her doctors, and all those helping her through this difficult time.