Ozcan's Surgery and Recovery Journey

Help Ozcan Battle Ankylosing Spondylitis: Your Support Makes a Difference

Ozcan is a hardworking individual facing the challenges of living with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a rare and chronic condition that affects his spine, neck, and joints. Born with this genetic condition, the symptoms didn’t begin to show visibly until he was 23 years old, around the time COVID-19 began to spread in 2020.

For those who are not familiar with the condition Ozcan has, Ankylosing Spondylitis causes severe inflammation, resulting in stiffness, pain, and loss of mobility. For Ozcan, this meant the heartbreaking realization that he could no longer run or play soccer, a passion he once loved. The condition has impacted not only his physical health but also his mental well-being.

Ozcan currently works as the Overnight Front Desk at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. He first moved to California as a J1 intern and now works full-time, but managing overnight shifts while dealing with the constant pain and stiffness of AS has become increasingly difficult. Despite the challenges, Ozcan remains committed to his work and to managing his condition as best as he can.

The funds raised through this GoFundMe will help cover medical treatments, physical therapy, medications, and equipment needed to improve his mobility and ease the pain he faces every day. These resources will allow him to continue working, improving his quality of life, and hopefully regaining some of the physical freedom that AS has taken away.

Ozcan has an upcoming total hip replacement surgery that will help relieve some of the pain and improve his quality of life. His surgery is scheduled for April 28th, 2025. While this surgery is a positive step in his journey, the recovery process will require him to take two months off from work. Although his corporate benefits will assist with some of the surgery's costs, they will not cover the full amount needed.

Every donation, no matter how small, will have a significant impact on Ozcan's ability to manage his condition and recover from surgery. Your support means the world to him, and he is incredibly grateful for any help or encouragement you can provide.

Thank you for supporting Ozcan in his journey to fight Ankylosing Spondylitis and for helping him through his upcoming surgery and recovery. Your generosity will make a world of difference as he works toward a better quality of life.