A RAPHOE teenager is currently undergoing life-changing spine surgery in Turkey.
Kacey Blackburn from Raphoe needs corrective surgery after being diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis, a condition that has forced her to give up football.
Kacey requires a double row, double curve spinal surgery and, due to growth, there is a limited time window for the procedure.
The operation is only available in Turkey and Kacey and her family flew out on Tuesday with the procedure scheduled for in the early hours of this morning.
“Kacey has left for surgery, please keep her in your prayers. The surgery will take 12-14hrs then she will be in ICU overnight,” a spokesperson for Help Kacey Be Pain Free said this morning.
Kacey pictured outside the hospital yesterday.
In order to ensure that Kacey receives her surgery the family have taken a bridging loan to meet the shortfall from monies already donated.
More than €40,000 has been raised on a GoFundMe page that has been established. You can click here to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kacey-be-pain-free
“Words are not enough to express our gratitude to each and everyone of you who have donated, liked, shared, and sent well wishes to the family,” the spokesperson said.
“They are truly grateful and blown away by the generosity that people have shown. Again, thank you all for your continued support as Kacey starts the beginning of her medical journey.”
The teenager has two curves in her spine which are said to be progressing daily
Idiopathic Scoliosis can occur in adolescents who go through a growth spurt in early teens and the condition affects girls eight times as often as it affects boys.