Eli's Top Surgery Fundraiser

Hey, I'm Eli, and I'm fundraising to get something off my chest.

Now that terrible pun is out the way, let me tell you a bit about myself.

In 2018, I realised I was transgender. I referred myself to a gender clinic (back when we could do that, without needing a doctor to do it for us), I 'socially' transitioned, and was lucky enough to be able to access hormones a year or so later, allowing me to begin my medical transition pathway. I've never regretted a single moment of this journey and I'm so glad I have been able to grow into me and become happier in myself. Anyone who's known me all this time can attest to how much more authentically me I am. And I’m so thankful for it.

However, much like many other trans people, I'm still waiting to progress along the NHS treatment pathway.

As it stands in January 2025, I've been diagnosed with Gender Incongruence (quelle surprise!), which in line with WPATH guidelines is a necessary step before any commencement of ‘treatment’ at a gender clinic, but there is a wait of up to 24 months for the next step of the process with Sandyford GIC. This next step is a medical assessment, and this is before I have even been referred to a waitlist for NHS top surgery, which by the time I get to a waitlist stage, could be 3, 4, maybe even 5 years more waiting.

I cannot spend any more years of my life waiting. I cannot enter my 30s existing in pain from binding daily, longing to swim topless and to feel the sun on my chest. The mental strain of this is beginning to weigh on me.

So I need your help.

I am fundraising for the costs to undergo private top surgery - a bilateral mastectomy with free nipple grafts.

This operation will allow me to fully authentically be myself in my own body - no more binding daily. Running without a compression garment on my chest. Being able to swim topless. And so much more I can't even begin to imagine.

I have quoted around the UK and abroad for the cheapest cost available, with most quotes in the UK coming back in the 5-figure range, so I am opting for the cheapest option available to me, which (as of Jan 2025) is £6,000 and requires travelling to Greece for surgery. This £6,000 doesn't include flights, accommodation and other expenses.

Currently, I'm in a 3rd sector job and saving whatever pennies I can (next to nothing now that I have a car, thanks car!), but it's going to take a lot to get me to where I need to be. I’m on a fixed term contract too, currently unsure what employment prospects look like after November, so I need to focus on this goal for myself now more than ever.

I’ve always found it pretty tough asking for help but now is the time where I own up and admit I need it.

Your donations:

£6,000 would go towards covering the cost of surgery, with an additional £1,000 allocated in case prices change over time, and also to hopefully cover flights, accommodation and any other supplies needed to help me surrounding my recovery. I have added a contingency of £500 to support me while I recover and am unable to work.

Any amount past the £6,000 mark is a rough guess on my part so if I am fortunate enough to raise more than £6k and I do not need to use any of those additional funds for travel, accommodation or other expenses, this will be earmarked to donate to other trans people's surgery funds. I will keep everyone updated regarding any changes to the fundraiser amount. Any and all receipts will be kept for full accountability.

So what can I offer you in return? Good question!

Well, I have way too many magazines and other materials so I could make a zine page or collage/mixed media poster for you, especially if you’re based further away. I am looking to get back into lino printing too so I could do a small lino print for you or something, or I can offer a crisp high five, a hug, and my undying gratitude.

Just know that if you donate, whatever you donate, I see it and I appreciate it, and it means the world that you’re helping out wee me.

Throughout 2025 I will continue my fitness journey, as I know that any running and lifting I do can only benefit me in the face of surgery. I aim to share periodic updates with my distance run/achievements each month but at the very least I’ll be attending my local parkrun regularly and will maybe set myself bigger and longer distance goals along the way – 2024 was the year I got into hill running after all!

If you’ve taken the time to read this all, thank you.

Please consider sending a donation my way. Course, it’s a cost of living crisis ‘n’ that, so if you’re unable to donate, that’s totally fine – all I ask is that you please give this fundraiser a share for me.

Once again, a huge thanks for any help you can offer.

All my best,

Eli

(He/They)