Fundraiser Ongoing for Melville Woman With Rare Disease

An online fundraiser for a Melville woman suffering from a rare neuromuscular disease has raised more than $16,500 in just a few days. 

Mindi Brown has Devic's disease, which is similar to multiple sclerosis in that the body's immune system attacks the optic nerve and spinal cord. Brown has been in the hospital for the past couple of weeks receiving treatment. 

Brown, a mother of four, is currently in a wheelchair and the fundraiser, started by her friend Karen Lippman, seeks to raise money to install a handicapped accessible ramp at her home, purchase some adaptive equipment for her home and fund medical care and innovative stem cell treatment that hopefully will be available to Brown. 

"My mom used to help the community and help others," Brown's son, Jared, a freshman at High School East, told Patch. "Now it's our turn too help her during her rough times. We are hoping she has improvements soon."

Learn more about Brown's condition and donate here: https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/wqc2/helpingourfriendmindibrown