Support Endometriosis Surgery

Hi friends! My name is Gideon Boako , and I humbly ask for your help raising funds to cover the cost of my upcoming Endometriosis Surgery later this month.

I am a Broadway Performer, and the greatest joy of my life is using my body as a vessel to tell stories. I know in my soul that I was put on this earth to communicate and share my spirit through movement and music. I've been fortunate to perform on Broadway in Finding Neverland and The Great Comet, and after a very difficult two-year-industry-shutdown, I am finally back to performing in the Pre-Broadway engagement of A Beautiful Noise! While I feel alive and most myself doing what I love, I also struggle with chronic pain/symptoms from Endometriosis that make performing very difficult and at times, impossible.

Endometriosis is an autoimmune disease where tissue similar to the tissue inside the uterus grows outside the uterus and attaches itself to the pelvis and surrounding organs. This tissue wreaks havoc in these areas and can cause all kinds of symptoms including: chronic pelvic and back pain, bladder & GI symptoms, extreme fatigue, pain during sex, nausea/vomiting and debilitating period pain, among other things. Take my word for it; none of these are super fun whilst performing a musical!

I was diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2017 after suffering for close to 10 years. After finally receiving a diagnosis, I promptly had Excision Surgery to remove the Endo from my body and get my health back on track. The good news is, this was life-changing and allowed me to get back to dancing and honestly - living, without pain for the first time in 10 years. The bad news is, there is no cure for this disease, and it does grow back over time. Sadly, my symptoms have returned over the past year, and I need to have Excision Surgery again.

The surgery itself costs $20,000 out of pocket, and the remaining funds would cover hospital fees and living expenses for the month of recovery when I'm not able to work. This procedure is frustratingly not covered by my insurance, and my doctor doesn't offer any financial assistance or payment plans. Having just returned to work after the pandemic and getting back on my feet, a surprise medical bill like this is not something I am equipped to handle. Thus I am here, humbly asking for your help.

While going under the knife again for this is daunting, I have an overwhelming feeling that I am where I am supposed to be and that it is the right thing to do. I have confidence in my medical team, and I am hopeful that this will allow me to perform 8 shows a week feeling healthy and strong and that I can start to repair my relationship with dance that has so long been linked to pain.

Your support means the WORLD to me, and truly any amount you contribute helps me tremendously on this journey. If you're not able to give, just reading my story and raising awareness about this disease makes a difference, or sharing the story with friends. However you support, I cannot thank you enough.