Banana Listener With Rare Brain Condition Seeks Help While Spreading Awareness
Banana listener and rocker Mariah Lonsway suffers from a rare brain condition that causes nausea, migraines, ringing in the ears and memory loss. It's a non-cancerous cystic tumor on the pineal gland of her brain which affects her everyday life.
The 19-year-old found a surgeon that will remove the tumor but as you can imagine, it comes at a hefty price. Not only will the surgery be costly but to get it done the family has to travel to Houston. Understandably, Mariah is looking for help with medical costs through a GoFundMe page. Some of the costs include their huge copay, airfare, lodging and living expenses while in Texas, medical equipment, as well household bills that will pile up as mom will need to take a significant amount of time off work to provide care for Mariah and travel with her.
One thing Mariah really wants to do is educate people as this is a condition that is almost always misdiagnosed for years or sometimes forever. She was misdiagnosed for over 4 years to the point of her becoming disabled and bedridden most of the day as well as being unable to finish her college degree, work or do her favorite things...attend concerts and play bass.
The family flew to Houston over the weekend and Mariah's surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday, August 1st.
For more info on her rare condition, click here.
Good luck Mariah, we'll be thinking about you!