Parents strive to protect their children, and Celine Casey took special measures for her daughter, Vienna Brookshaw, born in April 2021 in the UK. Upon seeing Vienna, Celine noticed a birthmark on her forehead, called congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN).
While CMN is harmless and doesn’t affect health, Celine worried it might impact Vienna emotionally as she grew. Since the condition is rare and unpredictable in growth, Celine wanted to shield her daughter from any potential challenges related to it.
Celine Casey quickly consulted doctors about her daughter Vienna’s birthmark, worried it might upset her in the future. She expressed, “We’d love her no matter what, even if we kept the birthmark,” but she noticed that people often stared at Vienna, prompting her desire for removal.
The NHS denied the surgery, deeming it cosmetic rather than essential. Determined, Casey launched a fundraising campaign, raising $52,000 in 24 hours. However, rising hospital costs during the COVID-19 pandemic left them needing an additional $27,000.
They turned to GoFundMe for help again, with Casey noting that children are observant and could notice differences. Now, at two years old, Vienna’s birthmark has been completely removed, leaving only a small scar. Casey regularly shares updates on her daughter’s healing, often calling her “gorgeous.”