Urgent: Help Jesse get life-saving surgery for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome

$16,591 of $50,000 goal
Given by 293 generous donors in around 4 months

This fundraiser is about giving Jesse the chance to eat without pain, regain strength, and have a future not defined by constant suffering.

Stratford, Taranaki

My name is Jacqueline Hereora and I am raising funds for my 17 year old son Jesse. For the past three years Jesse's health has steadily declined. He lives with severe abdominal pain every time he eats, causing significant weight loss and ongoing deterioration. Jesse has been diagnosed with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) three separate times by an ACC-appointed doctor, A specialist at Taranaki Base Hospital and Specialists at Auckland Hospital. These diagnoses were confirmed with CT scans and ultrasound imaging, and surgery was agreed to. Despite this his operation has been cancelled twice, and is now being asked to repeat further testing to reconfirm a diagnosis that has already been established, while his condition worsens. Jesse's medical history is complex and includes Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (classical and classical-like), a connective tissue disorder that complicates surgical care and healing, Chiari malformation, POTS, Scoliosis, Chronic fatigue, Spina bifida occulta, Scheuermann's disease and Gilbert syndrome. After years of waiting and cancelled care in New Zealand we are now looking overseas. Specialists in Australia have experience performing MALS surgery and can offer Jesse the care he urgently needs as continued delays place Jesse at real risk.

Jacqueline Hereora's involvement (page creator)

I am Jesse's mother and have been his primary caregiver and advocate throughout his ongoing and complex medical journey.

Use of funds

We are trying to raise $50,000 to cover: Private MALS surgery in Australia, Specialist consultations, Travel and accommodation and post-operative care.

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Latest donations

Mark
Mark 1 day ago
All the best Jesse, from Mark and Kathrine McLean
$50
Awakino Pool Club
Awakino Pool Club 1 day ago
All the best Jesse from the Awakino Pool Club
$100
Guest Donor
Guest Donor 3 days ago
$10
Jasmine
Jasmine on 08 Jun 2026
Sending love to u Jesse ❤️ I hope this surgery happens for u soon
$50
Stratford
Stratford on 08 Jun 2026
Funds raised from a Jingo night
$380.30

Who's involved?

Jacqueline Hereora's avatar
Created by, and paying to a verified bank account of, Jacqueline Hereora on behalf of Jesse James Hereora
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This campaign started on 4 Feb 2026 and ends on 4 Feb 2027.