A Mother's Fight for Sight: Giseli's Story

Hi, my name is Giseli, and I have been battling a severe eye disease called keratoconus since 2013. This condition causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape, distorting vision. In early stages, glasses or special contact lenses can help, but in advanced cases like mine, corneal transplants are often the only option.

I have already undergone multiple transplants, cross-linking, and Ferrara ring surgeries, but none have been successful in stabilizing my vision. I now only have sight in my right eye, which is also deteriorating. Traditional transplants are no longer an option for me because of the progression and severity of the disease.

My doctor now wants to try an innovative procedure using a placenta graft to restore vision in my left eye. However, this procedure is not covered by my insurance and must be paid for privately. If this surgery does not work, my only remaining option is an artificial cornea transplant, which has a 100% success rate but is extremely expensive (upwards of $50,000) and only available in Rio Grande do Sul.

I am 33 years old, a mother of two, and have been unable to work since my diagnosis. Despite my condition, my disability assessment was denied, leaving me without financial support. I am unable to afford this life-changing surgery on my own.

How Your Support Can Change My Life

I am hoping to raise $10,000 to cover the costs of:

The placenta-based corneal transplant

Medical consultations and follow-ups

Post-surgery medication and recovery expenses

If this surgery fails, any remaining funds will go toward the artificial cornea transplant, which would permanently restore my vision if done in time.

Any donation, big or small, will bring me one step closer to seeing my children grow up and living a normal life again. If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would also mean the world to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!