A dollar for a life.

A mother biggest joy is to be able:
- to see the first smile on her child’s face
- to hear her baby call her Mama for the first time
- to watch her child start her first step in walking
- to dress up her child in colourful costumes
- to comb and tie ponytail for her little girl

but all these can only be Holly’s dreams.

Her story

Holly Alonzo is a 21 years old mother and wife with a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), which is tumors grow on the spine and cranial nerves. Holly was diagnose when she was 13 years old, a year earlier than Yvonne. At that time, the doctors found a tumor wrapped around her brain stem. This tumor had to be removed, and she I woke up blind.

Holly is married with a newborn and she also has bilateral Acoustic Neuroma and became deaf in the first ear. Being blind, she was unable to see her child smile. She could only depend on her good ear to feel close to her baby. Right now the tumor on the good ear is growing and the one ear with residual hearing, is also in danger.

Holly is now hoping to get an Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI). The implant will provide her with some auditory stimulation so that will not have to risk being completely blind AND deaf. Unfortunately, the procedures to get the implant are only done at select hospitals, and these hospitals do not accept her insurance (Medicaid). The estimated cost of the surgery is USD 60,000.

When Yvonne told me about Holly, I feel so sad for her. I could understand how she feels inside. If you are someone’s mum or dad, I’m sure you know how Holly feels. Children is everything for a mother. Being blind and completely deaf means that Holly will be totally disconnected from her child and she doesn’t want to. She is trying hard to obtain an Auditory Brainstem Implant. “A little sound would be better than no sound,” she said.

Yvonne and Pelf are launching this “Help Holly — Only A Dollar” campaign to raise funds for Holly so that she could have the ABI — so that she doesn’t have to risk losing her sight AND her hearing.

Yes, it’s Only A dollar. With every dollar that you give in, you can change Holly’s life.

For bloggers, you can play a part too!
1) Blog about Holly Alonzo and her condition and help spread the news as much as you can.
2) Place a “Save Holly” badge on your blog. (the badge can be obtain from Holly’s blog.)
3) Donate to Holly. Remember we are only asking for a dollar?
4) Get your blogging network friends to blog about and donate to Holly too. The faster this campaign spreads like wildfire, the sooner Holly will be able to get the ABI.