Eli's Top Surgery

My name is Eli and I am raising money for top surgery. This is something that I have wanted for the longest time, even before I started my medical transition in 2020. Without this fundraiser it is something that will never happen for me.

 I have insurance, but since I work for the great state of Ohio they won't approve using it to help pay for a double mastectomy. Which means I have to pay for absolutely everything out of pocket, including all office visits and additional testing since I have some underlying health conditions. Which is why I am asking for more money than you would typically expect.

I live alone with the sweetest dog you will ever meet, Booker, and a very sassy cat Bogie. Booker is an old man and requires daily medicine and regular blood work which doesn't leave a lot left over to put into savings. Unfortunately, he has had multiple surgeries to remove tumors which ate in to a good chunk of what I had put away for my own surgery.

Now that I have described my financial situation, I want to give you my "why now?" Until now, I thought I had overcome every obstacle standing in-between me and my top surgery. I have come so far since starting HRT and changed immensely. Some of that is external changes from my "second puberty" but most of it has been looking inward to discover who I really am. I grew up in a really sheltered and controlled religious environment so you can imagine how difficult it was for me when I discovered that I am trans. I knew that starting hormones would most likely mean losing contact with most of my family and unfortunately I was right. I am still proud of myself for finding the strength and determination to set those boundaries and going forward with HRT. It was the best decision I have ever made. Personally, top surgery is the end of my transition journey. Physically it is what is holding me back passing in public, but on a deeper level it is my last big reminder of my old life that I am more than ready to leave behind. On the other side of the coin, why not wait until I have enough saved? There is a big push to pass legislation that will make getting this procedure extremely difficult so there is a bit of a time crunch.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any help is greatly appreciated!!