Teen raises millions to help fund installation of specialized MRI
A teenager in South Carolina used a challenging health experience to fuel efforts to improve accessibility for patients who need specialized imaging.
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has Sydney Severance to thank for starting a fundraising campaign that ultimately led to the installation of a new state-of-the-art upright MRI system at the MUSC Health West Ashley Medical Pavilion.
At 17-years-old, Severance was experiencing issues her physician believed were related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)—a condition that affects connective tissue and joints. Her provider wanted her to undergo an upright MRI to confirm the diagnosis, as EDS and other disorders related to spinal instability can be difficult to identify using imaging in the supine position. Upright exams are integral to the diagnostic process for patients struggling with symptoms related to these conditions.
“Upright imaging of the spine can help more affirmatively diagnose the source of symptoms—spinal symptoms occur in upright or sitting positions,” explained Sunil Patel, MD, chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery. “It has been a guess about the pathologic source of symptoms when imaging to date has been done in a lying-down position.”
With no nearby facilities offering upright MR imaging, Severance had to travel out of state for the exam. She later used the experience to motivate her to take action.
In 2021, she started the Operation Upright fundraising campaign, setting a goal of raising $1.2 million to put toward the purchase and installation of an upright MRI at MUSC. Severance’s efforts garnered nearly 500 donors, including 83 individuals who started their own fundraising campaigns to help attract more donations. In April 2023, Severance surpassed her initial goal.
Combined with additional funding from MUSC Health, the money Severance raised was used to purchase a new $2.5 million upright MRI system. She recently celebrated the installation of that system alongside MUSC staff.
“I knew there had to be a better way for others to get the confirmation and reassurance that they needed,” Severance said. “I’m so thankful for the support of my family, friends and others who made this possible.”
During that celebration, Patrick J. Cawley, MD, CEO of MUSC Health and vice president for Health Affairs at the University expressed gratitude for Severance’s efforts.
“I am deeply grateful for patients like Sydney who help us expand the possibilities for care,” Cawley said. “This new MRI will make it possible to serve more patients who often cannot use traditional MRI machines and require weight-bearing spine imaging to fully diagnosis and treat conditions such as EDS.”
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.