GIRL BORN WITH A RARE CONDITION THAT TURNED HER NECK PURPLE ENDURES 22 SURGERIES — THEN HER MOTHER FINDS NEW HOPE ON FACEBOOK

When Kinley Gluch was born, her family immediately noticed something unusual. Her neck had become swollen and purple, revealing the first visible signs of a rare medical condition that would shape her childhood.

Doctors eventually determined that Kinley had an extensive venous malformation, involving abnormally formed veins affecting her head, neck and airway.

What initially appeared as swelling was far more complicated beneath the skin. The abnormal blood vessels surrounded important nerves and other structures, making treatment exceptionally difficult.

A Rare Condition From Her Very First Day

Kinley’s condition was congenital, meaning it was present at birth.

Unlike an ordinary birthmark, her venous malformation involved abnormal veins extending through delicate areas of her body.

As she grew, doctors had to consider not only the visible swelling but also the possible effects on her airway and surrounding tissues.

Her family soon discovered that treating the condition would require years of specialized medical care.

Twenty-Two Surgeries During Childhood

By the age of eight, Kinley had undergone 22 surgeries, alongside other procedures including sclerotherapy and laser treatment.

These treatments were intended to manage the abnormal vessels and reduce complications.

Despite everything she had endured, Kinley continued enjoying childhood activities such as dancing, playing soccer and drawing.

Her family worked to give her ordinary experiences while navigating an extraordinary medical journey.

When Blood Clots Created Another Serious Threat

Kinley’s treatment became particularly urgent when potentially life-threatening blood clots developed within the malformation in her neck.

Another operation became necessary.

For her parents, the situation reinforced how complicated the condition remained, even after years of medical intervention.

They had been preparing themselves for the possibility that Kinley would require repeated procedures throughout her life.

A Facebook Discovery Opened Another Door

Then Kinley’s mother came across information about a specialized treatment being explored in Italy.

Known as bleomycin electrosclerotherapy, or BEST, the approach uses electrical pulses to help medication enter targeted abnormal tissue.

The family learned that a specialized needleless technique might offer a way to treat difficult areas around Kinley’s airway.

However, the treatment was not FDA-approved in the United States, was not covered by their insurance and carried significant medical risks.

These included dangerous airway swelling and the possibility that Kinley might temporarily require a tracheostomy.

Her Family Continues Fighting for Her Future

According to PEOPLE’s July 2026 report, Kinley’s family was working to raise approximately $40,000, plus travel expenses, to pursue the specialized treatment overseas.

They hoped the procedure might reduce the extent of her malformations and lessen her need for repeated treatment.

It was a possibility, not a guaranteed cure.

For Kinley’s family, however, discovering another medical option represented an important moment after eight years of difficult decisions.

Behind the surgeries and hospital appointments remained a little girl who loved to dance, play soccer and create drawings.

Her family’s hope was that future treatment could give her more time to enjoy those ordinary childhood moments.

Source: PEOPLE, July 2026. This article describes Kinley’s treatment journey and her family’s plans as reported at that time; it does not claim that the proposed overseas procedure has already taken place.