Hazel needs help paying for top surgery!

Hi, I’m Haze (or Hazel) and I'm fundraising to cover my upcoming top surgery costs.

I'm incredibly grateful to be embodying my (ever-expansive) trans, non-binary identity every day. Over the past few years, my journey has included changing my pronouns, taking hormones, and exploring my identity through clothing, meditation, and therapy. The next step is chopping these chunks of fat off, woohoo!

As I’ve come more and more into myself, my chest dysphoria has become more painful. It’s a daily struggle to feel good in my body.

I’m excited to be working with a well-known surgeon in my area, who specializes in this surgery. I’m grateful that I have employer health insurance, which covers a lot of the costs. Unfortunately, my savings are next to nothing right now, since I’ve only been in my new job for a few months. It’s strange to share such an intimate part of my life, but I need help from my community.

My out-of-pocket costs due before surgery are as follows:

$246 remaining deductible balance

$1,391 estimated coinsurance costs (20% of total procedure)

$3,800 chest wall contouring cost, (This is a specific method my surgeon uses in procedure. There is a chance this cost will be covered by insurance, but I won’t know until the claim is processed.)

$100 wedge pillow, gel ice packs, other miscellaneous recovery supplies

Total needed: $5,600

Fortunately, my employer offers a generous sick leave policy, so I will still be paid throughout the 3-4 weeks I’ll need off for recovery.

My surgery is scheduled for November 17, and my goal is to fundraise much of this full amount ahead of that date. If the chest wall contouring cost is refunded to me, I will donate that money to other trans folks fundraising for surgery.

I appreciate any support you’re able to give-whether that’s sharing this Go Fund Me, 5 dollars, or your well-wishes. Thanks to community support, I am who I am and will continue evolving into that Self.

If you’d like to donate without the GoFundMe cut, you can send money to me directly via venmo @Hazel-Odell or Zelle (message me for my cell).

Peace and love!