BELLE HARBOR — After undergoing successful surgery in December for a rare disorder, Anne McDonagh has created a project to get helpful personal care items to others recovering from the same condition.
“I’m fundraising to help other people recover, send them care packages, and make them feel more comfortable after their surgery,” explained Anne, a sophomore at Xaverian High School and a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church.
The disorder, thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), occurs when blood vessels in the space between the collarbone and the first rib are compressed. It can lead to headaches, neck and shoulder pain, tingling, and arm weakness.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the type of TOS that Anne has (venous TOS) affects approximately 1 in 125,000 people in the United States.
Anne, who lives with her parents and two brothers in Belle Harbor, works at her family’s dining room table putting together care packages that she mails to other TOS patients. Each one is filled with sleep masks, slippers, shampoo, hairbrushes, and other items.
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Since starting the project in early July, she has shipped 10 care packages to places including Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, California, and even the United Kingdom.
Last year, Anne sensed something was wrong with her health after experiencing migraines, chest pain, and a swollen arm, and developing blood clots. She was diagnosed with TOS in September of 2025 and missed two months of school. The surgery in December was to remove part of her rib to ease the compression.
Undaunted by her condition, Anne works diligently filling up the care packages for others with the condition, whom she finds with help from a TOS Facebook group her mom, Ellen McDonagh, belongs to.
With the help of monetary donations that she accepts through her Venmo account, Anne purchases the items she needs for the care packages.
“It’s really great that because of other people’s kindness and generosity, I get to help people,” Anne said. To add a bit of fun into the mix, she had T-shirts made with “TOS Warrior” written on the back that she includes with the care packages.
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Ellen said she is in awe of her daughter’s courage.
“She’s been so strong throughout this whole ordeal,” she said. “She came to me and said that because she felt that the caring of others really helped her through a tough time of life, she wanted to pay it forward and return that kindness to others.”
In each gift box, Anne makes sure to place a prayer card with her favorite Bible passage from Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
“I started reading the Bible after (surgery), and it really helped me appreciate God so much more,” Anne explained. “After going through such a rough time, you start to realize … you can’t do it without God with you.”
TO DONATE:
Ellen McDonagh, Anne’s mom, set up a Venmo account for her to accept monetary donations to purchase items for the care packages she sends to TOS patients: @Anne-McDonagh-4