The Neurological Foundation and University of Otago are raising $3 million to establish a centre of academic excellence in neurosurgery at the university and to employ a head of research who will also work as a third neurosurgeon at Dunedin Hospital.
That person, leading Belgian neurosurgeon and brain researcher Dirk de Ridder, was appointed last month and will take up his roles in February.
By yesterday, $2,493,204 of the $3 million had been raised.
Zoe Merzedes said she was "absolutely, absolutely, absolutely" a supporter of the fundraising campaign and was sharing her story in the hope that anyone able to give would do so.
People never knew when they might need a neurosurgeon, she said.
