A Leeds grad needs money for life-saving surgery

Leeds graduate Laura Sylvester is fundraising £190,000 to pay for life-saving surgery in America.

Laura has the rare genetic disease Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which has led to Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome as well as incompletely formed bones – leaving her spinal cord exposed and unprotected.

Laura already had one surgery on the 13^th of January in Washington DC – however to preserve her lower body motor and sensory functions, she needs a second operation.

Laura experiences extreme neurological symptoms related to these diagnoses and the risk to her spinal cord.

The surgery is extremely high risk, although will be performed by the world’s best EDS specialist neurosurgeon.

However it doesn’t come cheap, so Laura is fundraising to cover the costs of surgery, hospital fees, medication, physiotherapy, and her stay in America until she is able to fly back to the UK in April.

All money raised over this amount will go towards the post-operative rehabilitation back in the UK.

Laura has already raised over £150,000, but still needs a further £40,000.

If the surgery is a success Laura’s life will be hugely improved and she will be able to resume her masters in Petroleum Geoscience at Imperial College, London.

You can donate here to Laura’s appeal here.