Hi I’m Matt and I’m writing on behalf of the person I love the most in this world, my beautiful girlfriend Cora. She has been unknowingly fighting a disease called Endometriosis (Endo) throughout most of her life. The nature of the disease is complex, and unfortunately the many health professionals that Cora visited over the years were unable to properly diagnose it. Due to the fact that her illness was left mistreated for so long, her endo has progressed to an advanced stage that now needs surgical intervention.

Endometriosis occurs when the tissues that line the inside of the uterus grow outside of it causing sticky, foreign adhesions in the pelvic cavity that create a myriad of additional problems. Every month when Cora gets her hormone response to shed the uterine lining, the “foreign” endometrial tissue sheds along with it causing severe pain and inflammation. Mild cases of this disease can be asymptomatic, but in some women, the disease wreaks havoc on the internal ecosystem. If it isn’t caught early enough, the Endo continues to spread and creates damaging scar tissue, prolonged inflammation and a severely weakened immune response. In Cora’s case, the disease has led to multiple large endometrioma cysts inside both of her ovaries and sticky scar tissue causing both ovaries to be stuck to the back of her bowel wall. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 women suffer from Endo, yet the research and education is only in the hands of a few hundred specialists. Although Cora has committed herself to many natural healing methods, the endometrial tissue has continued to grow so extensively that surgery is her last remaining option.

Due to the fact that Cora’s Endo has also spread to her nearby organs, the clock is ticking regarding the nature of risk involved and the procedure must be completed in 10 weeks. The adhesions that fill her pelvic cavity and cover her bladder, kidneys and colon will need to be excised with great caution. The surgery will also free her kissing ovaries that are kinked behind her uterus. The procedure requires the presence of several surgeons to protect her organs: She needs an excision specialist to remove the endometrial tissue, an internal surgeon to protect her intestines, and a urologist to assist with the tissues that cover her bladder, ureters and kidneys. Insurance is able to cover some of the treatment costs, but due to the complexity of her advanced case, the bulk of the surgery payment is now placed on her alone.

Endo sufferers not only have to deal with the debilitating pain and symptoms of the disease, but also the ever changing disparities found throughout our healthcare system. Unfortunately there is a care gap in Endometriosis support and a lack of funding for research in general. Additionally, most insurers do not cover the costs for excision surgery. The American Congress of OB-GYN’s (ACOG) does not recognize excision as a specialty, which causes billion dollar insurance companies to refuse allocation of funds to the surgeons for their life-saving work. Medical school curriculums do not include the necessary teaching about endometriosis or excision surgery which means healthcare practitioners seeking expertise must seek external methods of mastering the specialty. This in turn leaves a majority of doctors ill- equipped to diagnose and treat the disease. Endo sufferers are forced to seek out the proper medical care themselves or if severe enough, to surrender to general and extreme methods of complete organ removal. Cora is another prime example of how the exceedingly high cost of our public health gets placed squarely on the shoulders of the patient at a time when they need it most.

Cora and I have continued to navigate these turbulent waters together, but we’re finding it increasingly difficult to do it alone. We are fully aware and sympathetic that many of you reading this are also experiencing your own struggles, financial and otherwise. We ask from the bottom of our hearts for assistance in any way you may be able to help. If you do not have the capacity to make a donation, we are forever grateful if you could share this link with others who may be able to donate. Cora has spent years facing her medical bills alone and she now turns to the community for help. Even if you’ve never met Cora, please share her story if this resonates in any way with you or your family. We are beyond grateful for anything you can give to support her on her healing journey. After surgery, Cora plans to fundraise for other endo sufferers who also may not have the funds to get the surgery they need. We look forward to spending the rest of our lives advocating for other women to overcome this complex disease.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Matt