Hi, my name is Talisha L. and I am starting this fundraiser on behalf of one of my best friends, Sharesse M. Mason, MSW. There are not enough kind words to describe Sharesse as a person, and how much she means to me and others. A little backstory of my friend, she is 32 years young, with a birthday that falls on Valentine's Day, a real helpless romantic. She hales from the South side of Chicago with an enormous loving family. Sharesse has 5 sisters and a host of nieces and nephews she cares for dearly. A loving mother and father, and 2 grandmothers that love her immensely. Sharesse has received her masters in Social Work and works along side survivors of domestic violence and takes her role in serving the community very seriously. It brings her joy helping others in need. In November 2019, Sharesse was diagnosed with mild Keratoconus in her left and right eye. Keratoconus is a disease that affects the structure of the cornea. It is when clear dome-shaped tissue covers the cornea, thins and bulges outward into a cone shape. This condition has put a halt to her everyday life activities. She experiences blurred and double vision, itching, and dry eyes. Since her diagnosis Sharesse has not been able to drive herself around in over 6 months. On October 27, the disease escalated from mild to severe, and it was recommended that she get the cornea transplant surgery in both eyes. With the help of the Cornea Associates in Dallas, Texas, there will be two different procedures to correct her eyesight. The left eye will be first, which includes a cross linking procedure due to it being less severe than the right. The right eye surgery will follow within 2 months, which will be the cornea transplant. Leading up to the surgery Sharesse will have to travel 3 and half hours to the Cornea Associates in Dallas, Texas every other Friday. With your donations and prayers, Sharesse hopes to obtain the surgery no later than April 1, 2022. Without the Keratoconus surgery she will not be able to continue providing her services and resources to her clients. All donation amounts are accepted no matter how big or small, also donations will go toward the surgery, post op care, and travel expenses.

In closing, if you could give anything, my best friend is way too young to lose her eyesight, it would be greatly appreciated. Lets help Sharesse live a long and filling life. Thank you in advance.