A Marathon for Melody

As many of you will already know, my good friend Melody is going through a massive challenge with her health and is in need of a life-saving surgery.

Early last year Melody discovered she had a spinal cord AVM (AKA arterio-venous malformation). Neurosurgeons believe that since Melody has had one bleed, the risk of another bleed is higher as the blood vessels can weaken over time. A future bleed would likely result in quadriplegia or death. Due to the location (cervical levels 2 and 3), and complexity of Melody's condition means that no New Zealand neurosurgeons have the experience to operate on her.

Good news though! Specialist vascular neurosurgeons at the Barrow Neurological Institute in America have reviewed Melody's case and are confident that they could surgically remove the AVM, providing a complete cure for her condition. Unfortunately, as health care is private in America and the treatment is so specialised, the cost of surgery, postoperative care and rehabilitation required is significant, with the final quote being $470,000 (NZD).

Whilst Melody is enduring her own medical marathon I feel it only fitting to endure a marathon of my own. I have officially signed up to complete the Auckland Marathon on Sunday 31st October 2021. Having never run a marathon myself, this will indeed be a massive challenge both mentally and physically, but I see it quite fitting and no better opportunity to raise some funds for such a deserving cause!

If you have a spare dollar or two please show your support and donate as much or as little as you can. Together we can get Melody the lifesaving surgery she needs.

For those who want to follow along Melody's fundraising and treatment journey follow this link: https://m.facebook.com/groups/305242384313259?group_view_referrer=search

For more information on Melody's condition follow this link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-arteriovenous-malformation/symptoms-causes/syc-20355613