Little Rock, Arkansas – The Arkansas National Guard Foundation (ANGF) is reaching out to the community for support in helping a veteran’s daughter receive a life-changing spinal surgery. The 12-year-old girl, Aly, has battled a severe spinal condition since infancy and now requires a costly procedure to improve her quality of life.
Aly was diagnosed with infantile early-onset scoliosis when she was just eight months old. Despite multiple surgeries over the years, her condition has worsened. The rapid four-inch growth spurt she experienced last year has caused the tether in her spine to deteriorate, putting her in urgent need of additional surgery.
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“In December 2024, X-rays revealed that the four inches of growth that she has experienced in the last year had led to her tether beginning to break down,” the ANGF stated in a recent social media post. “Once again, the family faced the prospect of fusing her spine. The pool of surgeons that perform vertebral tethering is already small, but with a child her age and a curve her size, it is even smaller.”
Aly’s family has found a group of specialists capable of performing the surgery, but there’s one major hurdle—the surgeons are out of network with their insurance provider. This means the family must pay a substantial portion of the cost out of pocket.
“To schedule the surgery, they must make a deposit of $35,000 and sign a promissory note for the balance of the out-of-pocket expense, $25,000. They will also need to cover travel costs for her to remain in New Jersey for one month after surgery,” the ANGF explained. “They need to raise a total of $75,000 to cover the total cost of the procedure.”
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Aly’s story has touched many hearts, and the Arkansas National Guard Foundation is encouraging people to contribute whatever they can to help the family meet their goal. Donations will go directly toward covering the cost of the surgery, travel, and recovery expenses.
For those who wish to support Aly and her family, more information on how to donate can be found at ANGF.us. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings Aly one step closer to the care she desperately needs.
The Arkansas National Guard Foundation has long been committed to assisting military families in times of crisis, and they hope that the community will rally behind this cause to help a brave young girl get the medical attention she deserves.
