Donate to Help Hayley Overcome Epilepsy with Life-Changing Surgery, organized by Stacy Giles

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Hi, I’m Stacy Giles, and I’m reaching out to you today to ask for help on behalf of my amazing daughter, Hayley Szeglowski. If you could meet her, you’d quickly see just how strong, determined, and hopeful she is — despite the incredible challenges she’s faced for most of her life. Hayley’s journey with epilepsy began when she was just 11 years old. For years, she’s fought a battle with seizures that come without warning, and no matter how many medications we’ve tried — over 10 in total — nothing has been able to truly stop them. The medications help manage things to an extent, but they come with their own devastating side effects, including dizziness, constant fatigue, and painful headaches. It is incredibly hard as a parent to watch your child struggle with normal life problems yet have the added burden of seizures and the medication side effects, that occur. Yet through it all, Hayley has never let epilepsy define her. She pushed herself to finish college, attending Clarkson University, and even while dealing with the unpredictable nature of her seizures, she’s built a successful career as a working professional. But as anyone who has lived with a chronic condition knows, sometimes you can reach a point where nothing seems to help anymore. And that’s when we decided to take a bold step. In March 2024, we went to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, hoping for some answers. Mayo Clinic is universally known for being among the top facilities in the world that deal with brain disorders including epilepsy. What we learned there changed everything. After an extensive evaluation, Hayley underwent a special brain MRI that is used for seizures, and the results showed something no one had ever expected: Hayley has a condition called Temporal Lobe Encephalocele. This rare and serious neural tube defect has likely been since birth. It’s a condition where brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid push through a gap in the skull — and, tragically, it’s one that’s often fatal for nearly 50% of infants that are diagnosed. We had no idea that this condition could be the root of Hayley’s seizures, but the doctors believe the pressure on her brain caused by the encephalocele has been triggering them all these years. On a very personal note, it was difficult to be with her when she was admitted as she had to come off her medications and she was a different person which told us just how much the medications are affecting her and who could she possibly be without them. To make matters even more complicated, Hayley has been having tiny, unnoticed, nearly constant seizures — so-called “micro-second” seizures — which were only picked up after further testing at Mayo. With her case now in front of over 40 specialists, the recommendation is clear: a risky, but potentially life-changing surgery. The Plan: On September 8, 2025, Hayley will undergo surgery to remove a portion of her right temporal lobe, approximately 40% of it, in an effort to stop the constant pressure on her brain. It’s a complex procedure, with serious risks and a long road to recovery ahead. The surgery will take place at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Hayley will need to stay in the hospital, including time in the ICU. Afterward, she’ll stay with us in Boston for a while as she recovers, since she lives alone in Charlotte, NC. Unfortunately, the recommendation for the surgery is highly recommended as there is a risk that this condition will continue to get worse with potentially devastating results. The risk of surgery may be less than the risk of not doing it. The Road Ahead: This journey is not just going to be physically challenging for Hayley — it’s going to be emotionally and financially draining for all of us. With the surgery and recovery, she won’t be able to work for an uncertain amount of time, and her medical bills are already piling up. As her mom, I want nothing more than to ease her burden. This is where we need your help. We are asking for any support you can give to help Hayley with her medical expenses, her recovery, student loans and cost of living while she can’t work. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will go directly toward making this challenging time a little bit easier for Hayley. If you’re unable to donate, we’d be so grateful if you could simply share Hayley’s story with others. Even the smallest gesture can make a huge difference. Why This Matters: Hayley has always been a fighter. She’s faced obstacles that would break most people, and yet, she continues to rise above them. We are hopeful that this surgery could be a turning point — a chance for Hayley to live a life free from the constant fear of seizures. While we are hopeful that this surgery may be a cure, it’s definitely the first real opportunity she’s had in years to regain control of her life. Despite the inherent risks of very serious brain surgery, Hayley is actually extremely excited for it despite the risks. This clearly illustrates how desperate she to live a normal life. We’re beyond grateful for any help you can provide, whether that’s through a donation or just keeping Hayley in your thoughts and prayers. Your support means the world to us, and it’s a reminder that Hayley is not alone in this fight. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read Hayley’s story and for supporting us during this difficult journey. With love and gratitude, Jack & Stacy

Donate to Help Hayley Overcome Epilepsy with Life-Changing Surgery, organized by Stacy Giles

Donate to Help Hayley Overcome Epilepsy with Life-Changing Surgery, organized by Stacy Giles

Price Valid Until: 1970-01-01