We are calling on our community to help our friend Elise Pallagi with the costs of undergoing facial feminization surgery. Here is Elise's story in her own words and why she needs our support...

"Hello,

My name is Elise and I have been actively transitioning for 10 years. While hormone replacement therapy has helped alleviate gender dysphoria a lot it, unfortunately, doesn't change the bone structure of my face. I have had consultations with a few different surgeons and have determined at the minimum that I need a type 3 frontoplasty, hairline advancement and genioplasty to sufficiently feminize my facial features.

Facial dysphoria has caused me crippling depression to point of near suicidality for a number of years, and while I have wanted to get FFS, the cost has always been a barrier to me.

I am now in a position where I can just barely afford it and am scheduled for surgery with Drs. Baez-Marquez and Silva of the Face Centre in Guadalajara Mexico on March 25, 2023.

The surgeries themselves work out to around $20,000 CDN and I have estimated an additional $5000 in costs associated with flights and accommodations while there. This doesn't include additional costs such as getting a CT scan in Canada, time off work to recover and any unforeseen expenses.

I'm incredibly excited and nervous as this is one of the biggest expenses I've ever had in my life. It's a sad commentary on our society that transgender people often have to turn to fundraising for healthcare that should be included in our nation's allegedly universal healthcare system, but here we are.

Many others deserve help who are likely in worse shape than me, but I'm eternally grateful for anyone who would choose to help me out with this. Thank you for your support.