For the low cost of a loaf of bread at Loblaws, you can help me finally live the obnoxiously shirtless summer of my dreams! If 200 friends each contribute $25 to this fundraiser, I will be able to afford the portions of top surgery that are not covered by OHIP, as well as take care of my needs and the needs of the folks helping me recover.

I'm going to spare you the sob story and assume that if you're interested in supporting me, you know that top surgery is something I need and have needed for a long time. I'll just say that as fun as it is to joke about having a hot boy summer, this procedure is more importantly about alleviating some aspects of gender dysphoria that are getting harder and harder to live with.

I'll be confirming the date with my surgeon in the coming weeks, but my surgery date will either be early June or early July. While most of the procedure is covered by OHIP, there is one portion that is considered "cosmetic" (but is nevertheless necessary) that comes with a pretty steep price tag. As a person with multiple chronic illnesses, recovery is expected to be pretty rough. I am preparing for being out of work for up to a month, and unfortunately I had to claim EI sickness benefits too recently to be able to claim them again for my recovery period. Additionally, I'll be relying on the support of friends around me to help with wound care, keeping the apartment functional, taking care of Ziggy, cooking meals, grocery runs, and rides to the hospital for check ups, and I'd love if I could count on having enough food in the house to keep those folks fed, and enough cash set aside to compensate them for gas.

I know times are tough for everyone right now (except maybe for the 4 grocery store CEOs who sit happily atop their sodium cracker thrones) so if you care about me but can't contribute, don't stress! I would still super appreciate if you could share this on your socials so it can reach more folks.