WESTHAMPTON, MA (WGGB/WSHM) — As a parent, one of the toughest thing you’d ever go through is hearing your child has a rare condition.

One Westhampton woman has used her diagnosis as a defining moment for the rest of her life.

“My parents, after I was born…were told I would never talk, walk, see, hear. They were advised to put me in a home. Thank God they didn’t,” said Isabella Sacharczyk.

Like many 20 year olds, Sacharczyk is in college studying for her future career, but she also has hydrocephalus.

“Hydrocephalus is water on the brain. It’s an incurable condition where the cerebral spinal fluid doesn’t drain. I have hydrocephalus,” Sacharczyk explained.

After her initial diagnosis, Sacharczyk has proven the doctors wrong each step of the way.

“I graduated from Hampshire Regional and am now in college. I’ve made it my mission in life to become a medical researcher to help find a cure for hydrocephalus,” Sacharczyk noted.

Sacharczyk is instrumental in the organization Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, where she is co-director for the Massachusetts chapter.

One of the groups biggest events is a fundraising walk.

“This past walk, we raised a little over $5,000. We do a walk here and an event in New York. Combined, every year, we have been able to donate about $10,000 to Boston Children’s Hospital,” Sacharczyk said.

Many in Westhampton are supportive of her efforts.

“Outlook Farms is absolutely incredible. They are gracious enough to allow me to put a donation jar near their register. I picked up the jars right before the walk and we had $150 to add to the total we raised for the walk,” Sacharczyk added.

We wanted to help, so on behalf of Western Mass News and Diamond RV, Jacob presented Sacharczyk with a check for $500.

“Every dollar gets us closer to a cure. I feel that we are close,” Sacharczyk said.

CLICK HERE for more information on Sacharczyk’s mission and CLICK HERE to learn more about the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation.

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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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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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Bella Sacharczk, left, and her mother Denise Sacharzk pose for a photo Thursday, Sept. 22, in her home in Westhampton. Bella Sacharczk has hydrocephalus a condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain and on Saturday at Hampshire Regional High School they will be walking to raise awareness and money for research.

WESTHAMPTON — When Isabella Sacharczyk was about a month old, she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, an incurable condition known as “water on the brain.” Doctors told her parents she would not be able to walk, talk, hear or see, and recommended that Isabella be put in a home for children with those disabilities.

“We chose not to,” her mother Denise Sacharczyk said. “We were going to do whatever we had to do to give her the best quality of life.”

Today, 18-year-old Isabella is a senior at Hampshire Regional High School. She is ranked 16th in her class with a 3.95 grade point average and aspires to become a medical researcher.

To raise awareness and money for hydrocephalus research, Isabella and her mother are hosting a fundraising walk at Hampshire Regional High School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday through the nonprofit Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation.

After searching for a support group, about three years ago, Isabella and Denise became involved with the organization, and now head the Massachusetts state chapter. Last year, the mother and daughter hosted their first walk at the high school. About 80 people attended and the event raised about $6,000.

The cause of hydrocephalus can vary person to person.

Isabella’s hydrocephalus was due to damage from E. coli meningitis and a related stroke.

A shunt is surgically placed to drain fluid from the brain and release pressure. Isabella has two of the devices which move fluid from one part of the body to another.

“Pretty much the shunt saves her life,” Denise said. “Without it she would die.”

Isabella has had 23 brain surgeries due to malfunctions or complications related to the shunt, with six of those surgeries were in 2011.

“One in three shunts don’t make it six months,” before malfunctioning, Isabella said. “So the odds aren’t great.”

After one surgery in 2013, Isabella had to learn how to walk again.

“She could be perfectly fine today and tomorrow she could be in the emergency room,” her mother said.

Isabella has trouble with fine motor skills, walks with a cane and experiences headaches on a daily basis. She cannot take notes in school and her memory is not great, but she spends hours studying at home, using notes provided by her teachers.

For exercise, Isabella rides a tricycle, though she joked that she “managed to fall off.” Her mother bought a matching one to go on rides with her daughter.

“I don’t let my condition hold me back,” Isabella said.

The “Funding a Cure for Hydrocephalus” walk on Saturday will feature a bounce house, music, concession stands and a raffle. Students can volunteer at the event for community service hours.

To register or donate, visit active.com/donate/phfwalkma2016.

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