Young Mom 'Overwhelmed By People's Kindness' After Donations Pour In For Life-Saving Surgery

April 12, 2018

A young mother hoping to undergo life-saving surgery says she is completely overwhelmed by the public's response to an appeal for help.

Zondra Meaney. Credit: Liam Burke / Go Fund Me

Zondra Meaney, 33, from Ireland is trying to raise $120,000 to undergo urgent brain and neurosurgery in Barcelona for the side-effects of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS).

EDS, a group of inherited disorders that mostly affect the skin, joints, and blood vessels, has caused Meaney a host of secondary disorders including Chiari Malformation, Pots, and Gastropaerisis.

She has been told that this surgery is urgent as her "condition is so advanced."

Meaney's story was published in the Irish news website Independent.ie on Wednesday, and within 24 hours, more than half of the $120,000 has been raised by donations on GoFundMe.

"The donations have been just amazing," Meaney said. "We are totally overwhelmed by people's kindness and generosity."

Meaney and her mother, Dorothy, wept when they realized she now had a fighting chance.

"I want to help raise Carrick - to be around to see him grow up," she said. I think it is what every mother wants for their child - just to be around for them. He is such a wonderful, brave boy and I want to be there for him."

Visit GoFundMe: Zondras Treatment Fund for more information.