Erin Williams

HELP ERIN EVICT GLADYS (BRAIN MASS) #ErinStrong #GladysBeGone
Erin Williams and her husband of 20 years, Travis, live in in Salina, Kansas with their son Ro (age 13). About 4 years ago, she began having several serious health issues with frequent episodes of dizziness, headaches, vision and balance problems, partial seizures, and difficulty with memory and speech. This summer she finally learned the cause: a marble-sized cystic mass in the pineal gland in the center of her brain behind her eyes.

The mass was named “Gladys” during Erin’s whirlwind trip to Milwaukee in late September to see one of only two doctors in the country who specialize in this condition. Gladys is compressing nearby structures and the pineal gland itself (only the size of a pea!), which secretes melatonin– connected to metabolism, sleep/wake cycles, and other endocrine and hormonal functions.

Erin will undergo brain surgery to remove the mass on December 16, 2022, in Milwaukee at Froedtert Hospital. She and her family will be away for just over three weeks to travel there, undergo preop intake, testing, and imaging, and remain in Milwaukee for two weeks following the surgery to monitor for immediate complications and ensure her craniotomy incision is healing properly. Erin’s total recovery time will be at least 2-3 months (early February if not March), during which she will be unable to work.

Erin is an executive and marketing/branding assistant. She serves on her church worship team and choir sharing her singing voice and love for the Lord. She is also passionate about foster care, adoption, and child welfare and advocacy. Erin’s quality of life has been extremely negatively effected by the pineal mass. Although the surgery is high risk due to the mass’ location and proximity to nearby structures and major blood vessels, Erin and her family believe that the potential benefits outweigh the risks and are confident in her surgeon and their decision.

The Williams family is looking for assistance raising the $16,000-$19,000 needed for out of pocket medical, travel, lodging, and recovery expenses.

ABOUT HELP HOPE LIVE
Erin’s friends are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Illness. Erin has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!