Help Eli to get top surgery

Hello! Thanks for checking out my crowdfund. My name is Eli (they/he), I'm a non binary lesbian and I'm fundraising for essential gender affirming surgery.

Although I haven't been out as non binary for very long, I've struggled with chest dysphoria and been uncomfortable with my chest in general for pretty much my whole adult life and I'm absolutely certain that top surgery is right for me. I struggled with this decision at first and I let transphobic narratives deter me from making the changes I needed to make to feel comfortable in my skin and live a full and happy life but over the past year I've embraced my identity as a trans person and I'm finally ready to start this journey. Currently I wear a binder most of the time but this isn't a sustainable solution as binders can cause health issues like tissue damage, muscle damage and pain. I've already started to experience back pain caused by binding. This surgery would be not only life changing, but life affirming, for me.

As well as being a full time student, I work part time in hospitality to support myself and most of my income goes towards rent, bills and food. I try to save what I can but I earn minimum wage so financing this surgery myself is impossible.

In South Africa, trans health is basically a non-event, due to the underfunding in our health care system with so many citizens relying on it. There is a limited number of trans surgeons, but fortunately, I have been bumped up on the waitlist to get top surgery. The date isn't confirmed yet, but is said to be around 3-6 October 2021. However, the pre-consultations and surgery deposit needs to be paid by 6 September 2021.

I've started this crowdfund because between the cost of the surgery itself, consultations, and care during recover, it looks like I will need about $3000, excluding what I will be able to save up myself. This is a huge sum of money and I won't meet my goal overnight but every little helps!

Every donation and every share means the absolute world to me, I'll keep you updated on my progress through this page. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! Thank you so much for reading.

With love,

Eli