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$125,000 raised in 24 hours for UGA student who suffered brain hemorrhage on spring break in Mexico

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico — Friends, family, and strangers are supporting a UGA senior who suffered a brain bleed while on spring break in Mexico.

Liza Burke was in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with friends when she complained of a headache, according to a gofundme page.

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Burke went to lay down but her friends could not wake her a few hours later.

“She was diagnosed with this abnormality in her brain called arteriovenous malformation which she’s had since birth and nobody knew she had it,” said family friend Jennifer Ritter.

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Doctors diagnosed her with arteriovenous malformation, which happens when a group of blood vessels in the body form incorrectly, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Most people never have any problems from AVMs but they can cause uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhage, according to Johns Hopkins.

Burke underwent emergency surgery to remove part of her skull.

Her family is asking for prayers. Burke’s mother said her daughter squeezed her hand Sunday night.

Burke’s family confirmed to Channel 2′s Candace McCowan on Tuesday she is now receiving care in Jacksonville, where her mother lives.

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Ritter said Burke is a senior who is set to graduate in May and has a job lined up in Charlotte.

A gofundme established to help Burke’s family received more than 2,000 donations raising nearly $125,000 in 24 hours.

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