Scott & Jessica's AVM Medical Fund

My name is Joy, and I'm fundraising on behalf of one of my very best friends (and really, Jessica is more like family). While 2020 has been pretty rough for a lot of us, Jessica, her husband Scott, and their two year old daughter have found themselves in a very difficult situation that has rocked every part of their lives. 

Scott was suddenly diagnosed with an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) tumor on Monday, November 2nd after months of troublesome but mostly inconvenient symptoms. While many AVMs are often never discovered because they are small and don't cause problems, Scott's AVM is the largest his doctor has ever seen. As the name suggests, an AVM is an abnormal connection of arteries and veins that form a mass. In this case, the mass is pressing on the frontal lobe of Scott's brain. At the size of a softball, it is causing symptoms such as headaches, vision loss, and tremors. The risks of leaving this AVM untreated could be catastrophic, so a surgical removal is scheduled for later this month. 

Unfortunately, Scott was between jobs at the time of his diagnosis and will now be unable to work for the foreseeable future, leaving them without insurance and a dependable income. While Jessica is a successful photographer, the circumstances of 2020 have meant limited opportunities for her business. She also plans on providing most of Scott's care during his recovery, but since the outcome of an AVM surgery can be highly variable, there's no clear picture of what that will look like. 

Aside from every day living expenses, costs related to Scott's medical care will be almost immediate. Scott's surgery will likely take at least 8 hours to complete and will keep him in the hospital for a few days if all goes well. Jessica would like to be able to stay in a hotel very near the hospital during that time so that she is only minutes away from Scott, but this presents some financial difficulties. And while they have applied for aid through the hospital, the cost of brain surgery can obviously be quite hefty. 

Thank you in advance for any help you're able to provide. It can be hard for many of us to ask for support, but my hope is that easing their financial burden will help them navigate this monumentally stressful time in their lives.