Support Olivia's Life-Saving Surgery Journey

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Hello, my name is Olivia Dell’Aquila. I’m 31 years old, and for the past two years, I’ve been living with a rare and devastating esophageal condition called EGJOO, a precursor to achalasia. This condition is a progressive disorder that, without intervention, could lead to the removal of my esophagus and, tragically, leave me with a prognosis of less than eight years to live.

Living with EGJOO has been nothing but torturous. Every day is a battle against relentless symptoms that have stripped me of my quality of life. I can’t eat without severe pain, and nothing I consume stays down. I’m malnourished, physically weakened, and often bedridden. My inability to nourish my body has left me facing the possibility of requiring a feeding tube just to survive. The thought of leaving my home fills me with dread not just because of my frailty but also because I fear the consequences of my body giving out while I’m away from the small comfort of my home.

The symptoms I endure are overwhelming: constant chest pain, severe acid reflux, nausea, regurgitation, choking episodes, and a tightness in my throat that makes swallowing a nightmare. Even liquids are difficult to keep down. Breathing is a struggle, and the simplest tasks exhaust me.

After years of misdiagnoses, failed procedures, and grueling tests, I have found one doctor in Philadelphia who can give me a fighting chance. However, the financial burden is unbearable. I cannot work, not even remotely, because my condition leaves me too weak to sit upright for long or speak without strain. This surgery is my only hope to save my life, but the costs of the procedure, travel, and extended stay in Philadelphia are beyond what I can afford.

Because of the severity of my condition, I will need multiple surgeries to fully recover and regain the life I’ve been robbed of.

Without this surgery, my condition will worsen. The small hole in my esophagus will continue to grow, eventually becoming life-threatening. I want to live. I want to marry the love of my life, Fernando De La Cruz, and fulfill our dreams of starting a family. I want to help others who are struggling with similar conditions and show them that there’s hope beyond the pain.

Please, I am asking for your support. Your kindness could save my life and give me the chance to live the life every 31-year-old deserves—a life full of love, health, and purpose.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my story and considering helping me in this desperate fight for survival.

With love and gratitude,

Olivia Dell’Aquila