Help Francesco hope for life-saving brain surgery

Team fundraiser

Gabriella Gallo and Francesco De Simone are organizing this fundraiser.

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Dear friends, colleagues, and supporters.

My name is Gabriella, and I write to you with a heavy heart. We desperately seek your support to raise funds for my husband's urgent medical expenses. Francesco has been courageously fighting a rare debilitating condition called Complex Arnold Chiari I & Syringomyelia. Now, we stand at a critical juncture, facing the urgent need for life-saving brain surgery to halt the relentless progression of this devastating disease, but we do not have the funds. Your compassion and generosity are our only lifeline. #GoFundFrancesco

Francesco and I dreamed of building a family, but fate had other plans. Our dreams were shattered when Francesco’s health took a devastating turn. Already distraught by my father's struggles with numerous brain haemorrhages, I slowly witnessed my husband presenting similar symptoms to those of my father's infirmity. Helplessly I watched Francesco's condition worsen. Seeing my father and husband suffer from mobility and neurological issues was overwhelming.

In 2013 Francesco underwent an urgent and critical brain surgery. Every second in that operating room felt like an eternity, fearing and hoping he would survive. When he emerged, he blew me a kiss and wiggled his toes to reassure me. I cannot convey to you the overwhelming feelings of relief and joy. It felt like we had taken a massive step toward conquering the disease. We were wrong.

In the first few years following the surgery, it seemed Francesco's condition had stabilized. However, relief gave way to despair as the disease resurfaced, and his condition began to deteriorate once more. The syndrome is now progressing at an alarming rate. Simple tasks we take for granted became insurmountable challenges. The disability robbed him of his ability to work, take a walk, and enjoy life. His senses have become distorted, making it challenging to gauge temperatures or perceive sensations correctly, leading to multiple falls, burns, and injuries. His right arm and leg weakened substantially, and his spine developed a severe curvature, causing constant pain and discomfort. Despite his best efforts, he developed partial tetraplegia, which impairs his ability to move parts of his body voluntarily. I watch him helplessly struggle to perform basic activities like tying his shoelaces or walking up or down a staircase.

The emotional toll became even more unbearable as our dream of starting a family was shattered due to his condition, adding another layer of heartbreak. Seeing him lost and defeated is heart-wrenching. And yet, no matter the obstacle, he tries to remain positive and alleviate the situation by making me and everyone around him smile with his wonderful sense of humour.

The doctors in Italy (where we reside) have now stated that there is nothing more they can do. We refused to accept this. After extensive research, we discovered a highly skilled doctor specializing in Francesco's rare disease. Destiny led us to a neurosurgeon in New York (USA), who, by chance, comes from our hometown and knows the medical team that performed Francesco’s first surgery. He offered us a glimmer of hope, a possibility for improvement. Performing an urgent and invasive surgery would create space for the cerebrospinal fluid to flow freely and thus slow down the disease's advancement and improve his quality of life. Timing is essential.

Our only hope is receiving expert care in the United States, though it comes at a steep cost. As Italian citizens, our insurance coverage excludes international medical procedures. The hospital and doctor consulted in New York quoted an overwhelming $220,000 for tests, surgery, and hospitalization, of which $190,000 is required upfront before surgery - a sum beyond our means.

As Francesco has been unable to work, I have been the sole financial provider for our family. We have nowhere else to turn to. Our families have offered their love and support, but the magnitude of the cost is beyond their means. We find ourselves desperately needing financial assistance to make this life-saving surgery a reality. Francesco and I must swallow our pride and ask for your help.

The road ahead is lengthy. The funds raised through your generosity will contribute directly to cover not only the costs of the tests, surgery, and hospitalization but additional expenses as well, such as accommodation, transportation, medications, rehabilitation, specialized care after surgery, and any other medical needs my husband so desperately needs. We are bracing ourselves for the unforeseen expenses that lie ahead.

We humbly implore your support to help restore hope for a brighter future. Every drop of kindness, no matter how small, will profoundly impact our journey. Please be our angels, and together, we can face these challenges. As we move forward, I promise to keep everyone updated on Francesco's progress.

Your compassionate contributions will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

Thank you from the depths of our souls for considering our plea and standing with us in this courageous fight for a better life.

Please also help us by spreading this link https://www.gofundme.com/f/GoFundFrancesco and sharing it by posting it to all your social media friends and contacts.

With profound gratitude and heartfelt sincerity,

Gabriella & Francesco - #GoFundFrancesco

• Please find below some of Francesco’s MRI imaging.

• Below, Francesco created diagrams to help doctors comprehend the location of his sensory perceptions, temperature variations, spasms and reduced mobility.