This open letter is being to all neuro surgeons who have an interest in pineal cysts and tumours, or the incredible work of Professor Charlie Teo.

I need you to take a chance on me.

Because this one act of kindness could not only change my life... but the lives of many more after me as well.

I have a 24 year old calcified cystic tumour of the Pineal Gland, which is now causing intermittent obstruction to the aqueduct and causing CFS build up and hypertension.

I feel the gush through my temples and it almost knocks me out. It's struck me with a host of horrific symptoms, from lost of sight, poor balance, crippling migraines, tinnitus, TN type 2, facial paralysis, Functional Neurological Disorder, tics, tremors and seizures. I also have light sensitivity and noise sensitivity as well as absent seizures and at times fainting.

I use a wheelchair and stick outside the house, and stick when walking about due to my instability. On seeing me, Charlie Teo was wonderful. He was informative, let me record and video due to my memory issues and then offered me the one thing I needed so desperately. A chance to regain back my life.

For the record, Prof Teo has offered to perform the life-changing surgery I need at no charge if I'm able to find a UK neurosurgeon to invite him to perform the surgery with temporary clinical privileges here in the UK.

Of course, his business class travel and accommodation would need to be covered. Of which we are fundraising for.

As if we cannot bring him to the UK, then we need to raise £50k as Madrid is the closest we can get to and I can't fly in my current state.

If we can get him to the UK we plan to use any additional funding to create a charity for Pineal patients to access under Sara's Hope because we are a small minority group of individuals who go under the NHS radar unless our tumours are malignant from the start.

Sadly many sufferers like me, go through years of misdiagnosis and second and third opinions before having to seek surgery abroad.

I would love to change this and help put us patients in touch with the doctors we really need. We often spend a lifetime not being believed or told our results are "incidental" when they are actually life-impacting. 

Once I get my surgery please keep an eye on Sara's Hope, for my hope is that I will be able to be the change we need.

Follow Sara's Hope on Facebook for updates or go to gofund.me/c3a9a6e8

 Sara Pollard-Dambach

Swanmore 

Email: sara.dambach@outlook.com

Send letters by email to newsdesk@hampshirechronicle.co.uk or by post to Editor, Hampshire Chronicle, 5 Upper Brook Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8AL.

All letters and e-mails must include full names and addresses (anonymous letters will not be published), although these details may be withheld from publication, on request.

Letters of 300 words or less will be given priority, although all are subject to editing for reasons of clarity, space, or legal requirements. We reserve the right to edit letters.