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5th annual “Walk to Beat Hydrocephalus” held Saturday in Easthampton
September 29, 2019 by PHF
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EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – 21-year-old Westhampton resident Isabella Sacharcyzk has been struggling with the rare brain condition, Hydrocephalus, her entire life.
“Hydro” is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain, and sometimes causes brain damage. Isabella has had 22 brain surgeries. Hydro has affected her ability to walk and learn.
“I struggle with headaches everyday,” said Isabella Sacharczyk. “My ability to walk has gone up and down, I now wear leg braces.”
Isabella is the Director of the Massachusetts Chapter for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation. Her organization held the Walk and 5K Saturday outside the Mary Ann’s Dance Studio on Main Street.
This was the fifth “walk to beat hydrocephalus” in Easthampon and the main goal was to raise awareness and money to find better treatment and hopefully a cure.
“We look around we don’t know who is affected,” Michelle Walden of Deerfield. “There needs to be more awareness, more funding.”
“Last night I couldn’t sleep, just because I was so excited and I love seeing the community come together helping to create a common goal to eventually finding a cure to hydrocephalus, said Sacharczyk.”
All of the money raised will help fund hydrocephalus research at the Boston Children’s Hospital. More than 15 thousand dollars was raised at last year’s walk and 5K.
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Westhampton woman’s fundraiser helps towards pediatric brain condition
September 26, 2018 by PHF
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WESTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – A courageous young Hampshire County woman is helping to find a cure to a brain condition that’s afflicted her since birth.
Bella Sacharczyk of Westhampton led her fourth fundraising walk for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation Saturday, on her 20th birthday.
Bella has undergone brain surgery 23 times since she was an infant to battle this incurable condition that has threatened her speech and ability to walk.
“I do this walk not for me probably won’t help me, but I’m doing it for the generation coming up,” Bella told 22News.
The money raised during Saturday’s walk will add to the thousands of dollars already donated to the Boston Children’s Hospital for Hydrocephalus research.
Bella is currently a biology student at Holyoke Community College. She plans on moving on to attend UMass.
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PHF In The News: Easthampton fundraiser raises money for research into debilitating condition
May 13, 2017 by PHF
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EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – One Hampshire County parent prays that one day science finds a cure to the disease that’s afflicted her daughter since birth.
Denise Sacharczyk of Westhampton organized a fundraiser Sunday at the American Legion Post 224 in Easthampton. Her daughter suffers from Hydrocephalus, or as it is more commonly called, “water on the brain.”
Sacharczyk told 22News, “My daughter has had 23 brain surgeries because of that. She lives with chronic pain, any day not being able to walk. A couple of times, she’s had surgeries and learned to walk all over again.”
Sacharczyk is active in the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation on behalf of her daughter and other young people suffering from “water on the brain.”
It’s estimated that out of 1,000 newborns, two will be afflicted by this disabling condition.
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