My name is Luna Wintergreen, and I am fundraising for medical care that I urgently need in order to increase my mobility, independence, and quality of life. I have been living with chronic, complex disabilities for more than 10 years, including chronic migraines since 2018, MCAS, and now severe, advanced lipedema. Lipedema is a painful and progressive connective tissue disease that affects almost every part of my daily life.

My condition has progressed to Stage 4 lipedema in my arms, which has led to secondary lymphedema. This causes swelling, inflammation, nerve pain, and significant loss of mobility in my upper body. I also have Stage 3 lipedema in my torso, back, and legs, which creates heaviness, swelling, nerve compression, and constant pain.

Because of this, I experience limited mobility, difficulty walking long distances, and pain that makes standing or reaching extremely difficult. I cannot lift even light items overhead, and normal movements often leave me swollen, exhausted, and in pain.

In my day-to-day life, this looks like:

I can do some basic things for myself, but I rely heavily on support for anything involving movement or reaching. My wife helps take care of me every day. She assists with household tasks, supports me through pain flare-ups, and makes sure I can manage daily routines safely. This level of caregiving is not easy for either of us, and it has changed our lives in ways that are difficult to navigate.

I have also been diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), which makes surgery more complicated. MCAS creates a high risk of allergic reactions and inflammatory responses during and after procedures. Many surgeons are not trained to manage this level of medical complexity, and it has been very hard to find safe options.

The specialists in Germany are highly experienced in treating complex lipedema cases like mine, including patients with MCAS. They understand how to manage my immune system challenges, my lymphedema, and the surgical risks. After each surgery, I will stay under their care for a full week. During this time, they will monitor me closely to make sure I do not develop complications. They will provide all meals, medical oversight, and the daily lymphatic massage that is absolutely necessary for proper healing after lipedema surgery.

This level of care simply does not exist in the United States for someone with my combination of conditions.

I have tried every conservative treatment available, including compression garments, lymphatic therapy, physical therapy, medical management, and specialized care plans. I have also worked with more than two dozen lipedema specialists in the U.S. Every one has told me the same thing: there is no public insurance coverage for lipedema surgery, even in severe, disabling cases.

I even purchased a private PPO through my school specifically hoping it would cover the surgery. It was denied as well.

I am frustrated that a reliable, evidence-based treatment exists, yet because of my financial situation and the structure of the American healthcare system, it is not accessible to me. I have done everything within my power to get this covered, and every option has been exhausted.

The only effective treatment for advanced lipedema is staged surgery performed by surgeons with specialized training. I will need four major surgeries, each performed 360 degrees from shoulder to ankle to remove diseased lipedema tissue and address both lipedema and secondary lymphedema.

The surgeries must be spaced three months apart for safe healing and to prevent further progression. If I wait too long between surgeries, the disease can continue advancing, which may force me to need even more surgeries in the future. Timing is critical.

Each surgery, including travel, lodging, medical care, and post-operative needs, will cost about 16,000 USD.

This fundraiser will help cover:

I have spent more than a decade navigating chronic illness while continuing to work, study, and contribute to my community. Asking for help is incredibly difficult, but the progression of my health conditions has reached a point where surgery is the only path forward.

In the attached photos, you can see how much my body has been impacted by this disease over the past 10 years. I was previously an athlete and private yoga instructor. Now I struggle to walk more than a few minutes. If it continues to progress, I will likely lose the ability to walk.

These surgeries are not cosmetic. They are medically necessary procedures that can reduce pain, increase mobility, and help me reclaim independence. They will also ease the tremendous caregiving burden on my wife and allow me to participate more freely in daily life.

If you are able to donate or share my fundraiser, I am deeply grateful. Your support will help me take steps toward better health, more independence, and a future filled with hope and stability.