Please Help Elaheh Tavakoliyan’s Treatment
Donation protected
Hi
My name is Elaheh Tavakoliyan.
After the killing of Mahsa Amini, l like many, joined the Woman Life Freedom protests, fighting for democracy, human rights, equality, and justice.
On September 21, 2022, the IRGC guards were brutally shooting at the protesters. I and some other protesters jumped to help two people who were shot. To my disbelief, one of the guards intentionally aimed and shot me in my right eye and face from a close range.
I was immediately taken to the local hospital, but the hospital staff refused to admit me because they were threatened to not provide medical care to the protesters. I had to be transferred to another city, where I received initial medical care and underwent three surgeries. The gunshot wound to my lid was repaired, but the bullet was left in my eye. Soon after, my right eye got infected and continued to show ongoing hemorrhage. By November 2022, I was under pressure from the IRGC and the security forces to the point that it became impossible for me to continue my treatment in my country. I was charged with multiple offenses, including leading protests against the regime, disturbing national security, and organizing groups threatening the regime and national security.
I fled to Turkey in March 2023, where I received a medical visa to continue my medical management in Italy. I was told by the treatment team at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, that helped me by waiving my fees, that due to the delays in my treatment in Iran, my only option was to have my right eye enucleated to be saved since I still had bullet in my orbit. While grieving the loss of my right eye, I had to face many other challenges, including multiple post-operation infections, severe scar formation around the eyelid, inability to close my right eyelids, prosthetic eye not fitting well, severe unbearable pain, pressure, burning and soreness, continuous tearing, inflammation, and dryness in the eye, occasional dizziness, headache, nausea, and difficulty with sleep, all of which made my simple daily routine very difficult and challenging.
Having left my home country and my twin children behind, and going through the stress of immigration, I had to deal with all of the above-mentioned medical issues too.
Desperately seeking treatment options around the world, Wills Eye Hospital in the US offered to assess and treat me. With the help of an Iranian plastic surgeon, I moved to the US in April 2024. During my initial visits, the treatment plan was speculated to include removal, making and fitting a new prosthetic eye, followed by a complex plastic surgery to repair and reposition my right eyelid, release the dense scars, and most likely replace the metallic mesh used for the repair of the fractured right orbital floor. The treatment course is expected to take between 6-12 months.
Although the “Eyes on Humanity” Fund at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia has generously agreed to cover my ophthalmology and surgical costs and the Iranian plastic surgeon is performing my surgeries pro bono, I still need to cover my other medical costs, including imaging, lab work, medications, etc., and more importantly, my living costs, rent, transport, food, etc., for the period of 6-12 months. Due to my visa status, I am not able to work in the US and I do not have any medical insurance. More important than my health is the fact that I have not been able to see my beautiful twins since I left my hometown. Like any mother, my dream is to have them live with me safe and sound. I urgently need your help! I finally have a glimpse of hope to improve my health and life.
Please help me make this dream come true!
Thank you!
After the killing of Mahsa Amini, l like many, joined the Woman Life Freedom protests, fighting for democracy, human rights, equality, and justice.
On September 21, 2022, the IRGC guards were brutally shooting at the protesters. I and some other protesters jumped to help two people who were shot. To my disbelief, one of the guards intentionally aimed and shot me in my right eye and face from a close range.
I was immediately taken to the local hospital, but the hospital staff refused to admit me because they were threatened to not provide medical care to the protesters. I had to be transferred to another city, where I received initial medical care and underwent three surgeries. The gunshot wound to my lid was repaired, but the bullet was left in my eye. Soon after, my right eye got infected and continued to show ongoing hemorrhage. By November 2022, I was under pressure from the IRGC and the security forces to the point that it became impossible for me to continue my treatment in my country. I was charged with multiple offenses, including leading protests against the regime, disturbing national security, and organizing groups threatening the regime and national security.
I fled to Turkey in March 2023, where I received a medical visa to continue my medical management in Italy. I was told by the treatment team at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, that helped me by waiving my fees, that due to the delays in my treatment in Iran, my only option was to have my right eye enucleated to be saved since I still had bullet in my orbit. While grieving the loss of my right eye, I had to face many other challenges, including multiple post-operation infections, severe scar formation around the eyelid, inability to close my right eyelids, prosthetic eye not fitting well, severe unbearable pain, pressure, burning and soreness, continuous tearing, inflammation, and dryness in the eye, occasional dizziness, headache, nausea, and difficulty with sleep, all of which made my simple daily routine very difficult and challenging.
Having left my home country and my twin children behind, and going through the stress of immigration, I had to deal with all of the above-mentioned medical issues too.
Desperately seeking treatment options around the world, Wills Eye Hospital in the US offered to assess and treat me. With the help of an Iranian plastic surgeon, I moved to the US in April 2024. During my initial visits, the treatment plan was speculated to include removal, making and fitting a new prosthetic eye, followed by a complex plastic surgery to repair and reposition my right eyelid, release the dense scars, and most likely replace the metallic mesh used for the repair of the fractured right orbital floor. The treatment course is expected to take between 6-12 months.
Although the “Eyes on Humanity” Fund at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia has generously agreed to cover my ophthalmology and surgical costs and the Iranian plastic surgeon is performing my surgeries pro bono, I still need to cover my other medical costs, including imaging, lab work, medications, etc., and more importantly, my living costs, rent, transport, food, etc., for the period of 6-12 months. Due to my visa status, I am not able to work in the US and I do not have any medical insurance. More important than my health is the fact that I have not been able to see my beautiful twins since I left my hometown. Like any mother, my dream is to have them live with me safe and sound. I urgently need your help! I finally have a glimpse of hope to improve my health and life.
Please help me make this dream come true!
Thank you!
Fundraising team: Team fundraiser (2)
Elaheh Tavakoliyan
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
Elaheh Tavakoliyan
Team member