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Help us fund medical treatment for Maia not available in New Zealand

$45,985 of $102,927 goal
Given by 672 generous donors in around 8 months

We are fundraising to get Maia to Germany for surgery so she can live a normal life again.

Ashhurst, Manawatu-Wanganui

At age 14, Maia's health started to decline. She had been a high achieving student, with a natural talent for art, drama, and writing. She has since had to withdraw from school due to severe pain, constant nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, with having had significant weight loss. Almost 4 years later she now relies on a naso-jejeunal (NJ) tube for nutrition and hydration.

Last year Maia was diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder that affects the collagen production in the body and causes a lot of co-morbidities. Maia has recently been diagnosed with a number of rare conditions that are contributing to her pain and gastrointestinal symptoms which fall into the category of Abdominal Vascular Compression Syndromes (AVCs).

The AVCS that have been confirmed are SMAS, MALS, Nutcracker Syndrome, and May Thurner Syndrome. We have been advised by Maia's vascular surgeon that it is necessary for Maia to have surgery to release these compressions, to return and improve blood flow to her organs (particularly her kidney), allow her to eat and drink again, and to give her the opportunity to live a normal life.

Unfortunately there is currently no treatment or surgery options available in Aotearoa for Maia, and Germany is our best, and most cost effective option. It does still come with a significant cost however and we are unable to fund this ourselves. Without fundraising to cover the costs, Maia will not be able to get this surgery.

Rebecca Lester's involvement (page creator)

I am Maia's mum.

Use of funds

To cover the cost of surgery (quoted approx $100k- excl unexpected complications and medication), additional specialist imaging; travel to, from and within Germany; and accommodation and associated costs for Maia and I for the 5-7 week stay in Germany.

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Latest update

Fundraising goal update!  6 September 2024

Kia ora e te whānau, a bit of an update on the fundraising front! We have had people busily fundraising on our behalf externally from the givealittle, with funds raised by Central Normal Primary School, private donations given by an anonymous donor, and the ongoing efforts of my mum and her colleagues! These donations totaled $2,473!

In addition to this, we have received a donation of $20,000 from Richard Lester, which is so incredibly generous and we are so grateful for.

This reduces our givealittle fundraising goal to $102,927, so we are well over halfway to getting Maia to Germany!

A massive thank you to everyone for your continued support and donations. It's starting to feel like we're actually going to get Maia her surgery and we couldn't have gotten this far without you all.

Much aroha and appreciation from our little whănau 💜

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Latest donations

Naomi
Naomi 5 days ago
$20
Rhonda
Rhonda 7 days ago
All the best Maia xx
$20
Katelin
Katelin on 07 Oct 2024
$50
Sophie
Sophie on 06 Oct 2024
$5
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 06 Oct 2024
Private

Who's involved?

Rebecca Lester's avatar
Created by, and paying to a verified bank account of, Rebecca Lester on behalf of Maia de Wit
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This campaign started on 27 Feb 2024 and ends on 26 Feb 2025.