I am creating this GoFundMe account to help a student girl from India whom I came across, and her story touched my heart.

"My name is Lalitha. I am an international student in the U.S., and my life changed after an unfortunate accidental caustic injury that severely damaged my esophagus. For the past 20 months, I have been fighting to survive and heal. I have undergone more than 30 dilations and tried every possible treatment, but nothing has worked. For the last 5 months, I have been unable to eat normally and am completely dependent on tube feeds for nutrition.

Now, the only option left is a major and high-risk surgery, an esophagectomy with gastric pull-up or possible colonic reconstruction. This surgery is complex and comes with serious risks and long recovery, but it is my only chance to eat, live, and regain a normal life.

Going through this alone, far from my family, has been extremely hard emotionally and financially. I am asking for support to help cover my expenses towards surgery, medical care, and recovery. Any contribution, no matter how small, brings me closer to healing and gives me hope to move forward."