Help Harleigh Overcome Brain Tumor Challenges

Hello, my name is Jennifer McQueen.

As much as we hate to ask for help, we do not have a choice.

In 2019, we were told our daughter had 2 tumors on her brain. In 2022, we were told one of her tumors had tripled in size. This was causing pressure on her brain and ultimately she had to have brain surgery at Mayo Clinic. Harleigh recovered like a champ. The second tumor was not removed during this surgery due to it being very dangerous. The tumor is embedded in her brain and tangled around veins and blood vessels. Although this tumor remained in her brain, we were hopeful that this scary journey was over.

Fast forward to 2024. Harleigh began having seizures caused by the tumor that was not removed. She was having these seizures in school. We were then told by Sanford Children’s Hospital that Harleigh had a small brain bleed. They also broke the news to us that she would need to have the remaining tumor removed.

At this point, we’ve decided that homeschooling is the best and safest option for Harleigh.

Due to Harleigh being homeschooled, along with her seizures, I have no other option but to stay home with her. My husband works and makes enough to get us by.

We start the preparation process for her brain surgery on February 3rd, 2025. She will undergo extensive testing performed by Mayo Clinic. This testing will be done for a minimum of 5 days. After this testing is complete, we will find out if she needs immediate emergency brain surgery or if the surgery can be scheduled for a later date.

Due to being a single-income household, we are unsure as to how we are going to pay for travel, hotels, and food during her testing process. We are asking for help because of this.

Harleigh is 14 years old. She is a beautiful, sweet, girly girl who cares deeply for others. Harleigh has a twin sister, Haleigh. They are best friends and mean the absolute world to each other. Harleigh has not been able to have a normal, fun, and carefree childhood due to her condition. It is very dangerous for her to be unattended by us. Not only does this break her heart, it breaks ours as well.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this. Anything helps, whether it is monetary or simply pressing the share button.