Help Nancy Walk Again – A Mother's Fight to Regain Her Balance and Independence
Fundraising Goal: $35,000 USD
My name is Zeina, and I am raising funds for my younger sister, Nancy, a 28-year-old mother who has spent nearly five years fighting to regain her ability to walk, stand independently, and live a normal life.
Nancy was once a healthy young woman with dreams, a family, and a beautiful little daughter named Sila. Today, her greatest dream is something most of us take for granted: to stand on her own feet, walk without assistance, and hold her daughter's hand.
Nancy's Medical Journey
In February 2022, Nancy underwent major brain surgery to remove a 4.5 cm medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor located in the posterior fossa, near the cerebellum.
Following surgery, she spent approximately one week in a coma in intensive care. Her recovery was complicated by bleeding in the cerebellum and three pulmonary embolisms.
She subsequently underwent 33 sessions of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and additional cancer treatment.
Although her follow-up brain MRI in September 2025 showed no evidence of tumor recurrence, Nancy continues to live with serious neurological damage.
Her brain imaging shows postoperative changes, including gliosis and tissue loss affecting the right cerebellum and cerebellar vermis — areas essential for balance, coordination, posture, and movement.
As a result, Nancy suffers from:
Severe cerebellar ataxia, causing major difficulties with balance and coordinated movement.
Inability to walk independently, requiring a walker and physical assistance.
Severe instability when standing, with a high risk of falling.
Tremors and involuntary movements, which have required neurological treatment.
Epileptic seizures following her brain cancer treatments.
Difficulty controlling her trunk and coordinating her legs, despite years of rehabilitation.
Nearly Five Years of Fighting
Nancy has undergone extensive rehabilitation in Turkey, Lebanon, and Egypt, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, balance training, assisted walking, and neurological rehabilitation.
She has fought incredibly hard and made meaningful progress. She can now stand with a walker and has occasionally managed to stand unsupported for short periods. On one remarkable occasion, she stood independently for approximately three minutes and took two steps.
But these achievements are not yet consistent. Nancy still cannot walk safely or independently.
Her determination remains strong, and we believe she deserves every possible opportunity to improve.
A Mother Who Dreams of Walking Beside Her Daughter
The most heartbreaking part of Nancy's story is her separation from the ordinary experiences of motherhood.
Her daughter, Sila, is growing up while Nancy struggles with the consequences of her brain illness.
Nancy dreams of standing beside her daughter, walking with her, taking her to school, and embracing her without needing someone to support her balance.
She is not asking for a miracle. She is asking for a chance to regain the independence that her illness took away.
Why We Need $35,000
After years of medical treatment and rehabilitation, our family has exhausted enormous financial resources.
We are now seeking $35,000 to help Nancy access an intensive, specialized neurological rehabilitation program focused on brain recovery, balance, coordination, and walking.
The proposed treatment may include specialist-assessed neuromodulation techniques, advanced neurorehabilitation, balance retraining, gait therapy, and other approaches intended to support neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections.
These treatments cannot guarantee that Nancy will walk again, but we hope they can give her a meaningful opportunity to improve her mobility, safety, and quality of life.
The funds will help cover specialized medical assessments, treatment sessions, rehabilitation, travel, accommodation, and related medical expenses.
Please Help Nancy Take Her Next Step
Nancy has already survived brain cancer, major brain surgery, a coma, serious complications, and years of exhausting rehabilitation.
Now she is fighting for something deeply human: the ability to move freely and be more independent as a mother.
Every donation, no matter how small, can bring Nancy closer to receiving the specialized care she needs.
If you cannot donate, sharing her story can make an enormous difference.
Please help Nancy fight for her balance, her independence, and the chance to walk beside her daughter again.
With love and gratitude,
Zeina Hafez
Nancy's sister and caregiver