Desperate race to raise £250,000 by January for 'lifetime fix' operation for Samantha Smith

Samantha Smith, whose brain and spinal cord were being crushed under the weight of her own skull, urgently needs to raise £250,000 by January for a ‘lifetime fix’ operation in America.

Due to several medical conditions, psychotherapist Samantha, 32, from Smithy Bridge, desperately needs to raise funds for the operation after previous operations were not as successful as hoped. Her body is deteriorating so rapidly, she also requires brain surgery as her brainstem is falling out of her skull.

The upcoming operation has been hailed by her surgeon as a ‘lifetime fix’ for the brave mum, who lives in constant excruciating pain, which would fuse her spine from the base of her skull through to her mid-back.

Fighting back tears, Sam, who has two young children, added: “This surgeon is the only man I know who has given me the evidence and confidence that he has the ability to stabilise me enough to avoid future surgeries and fundraising.

“This surgery is the one thing standing between me making a full recovery and living a long, happy life - or deteriorating and losing my life over the following months.”

Samantha has to raise the total of £250,000 before January 2019, as once again, the majority of the operation must be paid for in advance as she must fly to the United States.

Samantha admitted: “Longevity of the operation was something I had been concerned about; I didn’t want a repeat of last year.

“I feel confident in his abilities.”

As the next operation will be correcting the deterioration from previous surgeries, the cost will be triple the amount expected.

However, the high cost of the quote means Samantha is now in a desperate race against time to raise the funds so the surgery in Arizona can go ahead.

She added: “I can’t give up. I’ve got my babies and a chance there of recovery and a normal life.”

The Save Samantha appeal has raised approximately £121,000 towards Sam’s next operation, but urgently needs your help to raise the remainder before January.  The majority must be paid upon booking the operation, whilst the rest needs to be paid within two weeks of discharge.

After ‘a lifetime of pain and eight years of tests, misdiagnoses and ill health,’ Samantha was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a genetic condition of the connective tissue, in December 2016, plus additional complications.

How you can help Save Samantha

Donations can be made via:

Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/save-samantha-smith

PayPal: www.paypal.me/savesamanthapurchase

Bank Transfer: 

Name: Save Samantha 
Account no: 90266248
Sort code: 20-45-45

Read more about Samantha's brave journey:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/news-archives?type=News&Criteria=Samantha+Smith