SAVE NANA'S VOICE 2024! Second Surgery Fundraiser.
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A SINGERS FIGHT FOR HER FUTURE
(SCROLL DOWN TO " SAVE NANA'S VOICE 2022" FOR THE FULL STORY)
THE 2024 SECOND SURGERY FUNDRAISER CONTINUES!
With your help we will get NaNa to New York soon.
The first surgery is NOT completely done, she can't live with a half finished
jaw any longer! Please Help!
For the past 1.5 years, we've been on a remarkable journey together to help the Swedish singer NANA HEDIN restore her health after Tongue Cancer and Jawbone death (ORN) - to save her legendary singing voice.
On January 1, 2022, we kickstarted a fundraiser with GoFundMe and our non-profit organization, M.A.S. (Society for Female Oral Cancer).
Thanks to the generosity of private donors and NaNa's incredible friends and followers, we achieved our goal.
On May 28, 2022, NaNa Hedin, our courageous singer and friend, traveled to India for the complex jaw reconstructive surgery she had needed for years.
The increadible 20-hour surgery took place at Aster Medcity Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, on September 26, 2022.
NaNa not only survived the surgery but also made a remarkable recovery, astounding the hospital staff and surgery team, who referred to her as "A Miracle."
The unwavering support from all of you is what turned this dream into a reality. Your dedication has left an indelible impact, and for that, NaNa is immensely grateful and of course, so are we.
** Leaving India **
After six months of rehabilitation, NaNa returned to the hospital in 2023 for the follow-up surgery, only to discover that the treatment plan had changed dramatically. This led to intense discussions and ultimately, NaNa's difficult decision to leave India for good.
NaNa explained, "It was one of the hardest decisions to make. I was terrified, but I had to put the foot down, follow my heart and logic sence. They gave me a successful first-class surgery but failed to deliver on the rest of my treatment. My concerns where not being heard. I lost trust in the team."
**Second Surgery: A Critical Step**
Now, a year after the first surgery,
NaNa faces the challenge of an unfinished jaw. Her new jaw isn't securely fastened, and it's essential to address this issue before considering any further treatments, as titanium implants, which were the focus of disagreements in India.
NaNa's teeth in the upper jaw was taken out during the first surgery.
(Photo: August 2023)
**Seeking a New Surgeon**
We have consulted the expertise of a Maxillofacial and plastic surgeon in the U.S., who confirmes NaNa's fears and supports her decision to leave India. He expresses the utmost importance of NaNa following the original treatment plan.
The new jaw needs to be fixed securely to the skull, but first shortened and shaped to fit her face. The Free-flap over her tongue needs to be taken out and there is a possibility to free a part of her tongue. All before even thinking about teeth and titanium implants.
The U.S. surgeon will try to free a small part of Nana's tongue, which will in that case be a life-changing breakthrough for her.
Highly improved articulation, eating abilities, and most importantly, the ability to sing, are within reach for NaNa after 15 years without tongue mobility.
NaNa expressed her optimism, saying,
"The surgeon in New York, whom I have followed for years, reviewed my scans and believes there's even more we can achieve than I ever dreamed.
It's impossible for me to explain how it is to live without being able to move the tongue even an inch.
I have had to learn to talk again 3 times, after the radiotherapy and surgeries.
I lost everything due to tongue cancer, but thanks to the incredible people who have supported me, I'm slowly getting a new life.
I refuse to give up now."
(Photo:August 2023)
**Support Nana's Journey**
We are relaunching this fundraiser with a slightly higher goal of $50,000 and right now we are in need of approx $25,000.
Donations will be channeled directly from M.A.S. to cover NaNa's surgery, medication, rehabilitation, travel, and living expenses. Any remaining funds from last year's donations will also be used for this purpose.
Our aim is to help NaNa get this next surgery in the U.S.A., and we hope that you will continue to support her in this fight, leading to hearing her unique strong voice again.
**Keep Help Save NaNa's Voice!**
NaNa's incredible spirit and determination to survive make her a role model worthy of a bright future. It's your donations that has gotten NaNa this far and we hope that you will keep your support during the rest of her journey. Her legendary voice has clearly touched many hearts over the years. Providing her with the best possible surgery is a beautiful way to show your appreciation and care for her.
Please share this fundraiser and consider contributing to NaNa's surgeries.
Every donation, no matter how small, will make a huge difference to her health and future.
Thank you!
Mats Karlsson.
M.A.S - The MultiAnnoying Society for Female Oral Cancer & Osteoradionecrosis
Follow NaNa's progress
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SAVE NANA'S VOICE
FUNDRAISER 2022
NaNa Hedin is a legendary singer.
If you’re into music from the 90s, you’ve definitely heard her before, possibly without knowing her name. She is the incredibly powerful voice behind E-Type’s biggest hits since 1993. Remember Dr. Alban's hit "Look Who's Talking"?
She’s done backup vocals for Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Gary Barlow, Ace of Base, and numerous other artists, together with world famous producers such as Denniz Pop, Max Martin (Polar Music Award 2016) & Kristian Lundin for over a decade.
TONGUE CANCER
In 2009, after over a year of misdiagnosis, NaNa was diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer, which threatened her life.
Given her career, she had to decline surgery and underwent grueling radiation and chemotherapy. Happily, she survived with her vocal cords intact!
JAWBONE DEATH
But several years later, the same day she officially reached remission status, NaNa was dealt another blow - a diagnosis of osteoradionecrosis. This severe jawbone death resulted from the radiation therapy, the worst case her Swedish surgeons had ever seen. So now she has to go with the only treatment available for her disintegrating bones - removing her entire lower jaw.
As it stands, her jaw bone is currently disintegrating into liquid, is broken in several places, and the right side of the bone has a gap in it, so the outer part of her jaw isn’t connected to her head anymore.
NaNa no longer has any teeth in the lower jaw, and her upper teeth are in extremely poor condition. In addition, her tongue is completely immobile due to the scarring from the radiotherapy, and she hasn't been able to chew or move her tongue for 12 years.
IN URGENT NEED OF SURGERY
NaNa’s only local options for surgery involve cutting major nerves in her face, ending her ability to smile or have any sensation in her lower face and lips.
The surgeons said that - with their plan - she would never have teeth, sensation, or the ability to smile.
The top Maxillofacial surgeon told NaNa "You will never sing again."
SEARCHING FOR HELP
After an absolutely horrifying few years of medical drama that would make anyone’s hair stand on end, she found that a handful of surgeons around the world could help her. But unfortunately, none were located anywhere near Sweden, where she lives.
THE GIFT OF SURGERY
A highly experienced surgeon in India - and an accompanying hospital - are willing to help NaNa receive the surgery she needs.
The surgeon that is overseeing this is a Maxillofacial specialist in the type of severe deterioration that NaNa is experiencing.
The surgical team will do their best to preserve the nerves in her face and the soft tissue around her tongue. The mandible will be rebuilt using her fibula bone, from her lower leg.
With this team, she may even have a chance to receive dental implants - a possibility completely written off by surgeons local to her.
As India has the highest number of oral cancer patients worldwide, the doctors there have a lot of experience with these issues and have been pioneering treatments. In NaNa's hospital in Sweden, they perform this type of surgery once per year, max.
ASSOCIATED COSTS
NaNa has to come up with the money for: Travel, 2 months of hospital accommodation and therapy, as well as all of the other associated costs for this surgery and tooth implants for her entire mouth.
FUNDRAISER GOAL: $50 000
Over a decade of dealing with cancer and related medical issues has left NaNa in dire straits, financially, and we started the fundraising to save her voice and prevent further damage, enabling her to have a chance of a bright future.
NaNa says:
"My voice is a gift from heaven, much more than a career; it's a vocation and who I am. It's my entire life."
Today, we hope to raise enough money to get NaNa to India to receive the care that she so urgently needs and to get her on the path to a safe, healthy, and HAPPY recovery.
In the words of a friend...
(Translated from Swedish)
" Imagine that you live to sing.
Imagine suddenly getting cancer of the tongue.
Imagine that the entire jaw is irradiated, and the jawbone slowly dies.
Imagine not getting the care you need in Sweden.
Imagine being presented with the opportunity to get the help you need in India.
Imagine that doctors with teams are waiting for you.
Imagine that you need money to get there.
Imagine that very many people help you by contributing financially.
Imagine getting the money you need.
Imagine going there and having surgery.
Imagine that you recover quickly and get your life back."
Please share this fundraiser, and consider contributing to the collection for NaNa Hedin’s surgeries. Every little bit helps!
Thank You! ❤️
Note: This fundraiser is in Swedish Krona. To find the exchange rate, please google (Amount you want to donate) (USD, CAD, or whatever your currency is) To Swedish Krona". Eg : 100 USD to Swedish Krona
This Fundraiser is held for NaNa Hedin with her consent by The MultiAnnoying Society for Female Oral Cancer & Osteoradionecrosis Awareness, a Swedish non-profit organization.
#savenanasvoice
Organizer
The Multiannoying Society
Organizer
Sköndal