Help Luca Save His Sight and Future

My name is Maria, Luca's mom.

My son, Luca, needs assistance for life-changing, major eye surgery.

Luca was born on November 25th, 2005, with the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. He was a happy baby, rarely crying, and as a toddler, he loved playing with his toy cars. Luca has always been a loving, gentle, and caring soul with an extra sensitivity and special love for nature. He loved playing with his younger brother and always made sure he was happy, even if it meant giving up his own toys.

Luca is 18 years old and just graduated from high school, with the assistance of his mentor/tutor who has supported him for the past three years. He overcame Tourette's syndrome and ADHD disabilities to reach this milestone. He enjoys tinkering with mechanical and electrical equipment and cars. In high school, he earned his HVAC technician certification, including EPA and OSHA certifications. He is looking forward to pursuing a career as a union electrician or an HVAC technician.

Last year, Luca’s eyesight started to decline. In December, he was diagnosed with keratoconus, a progressive condition where the cornea thins and bulges outward into a cone shape. For some, this condition progresses slowly, but for others, it is rapid. In Luca's case, it has been very rapid, and his vision continues to deteriorate to the point that he cannot work nor drive.

Luca is eager to start driving as he just bought a car and is looking forward to working on it. He dreams of starting his career and living a normal life. However, to achieve these goals, Luca needs specialized treatment for his keratoconus (corneal collagen cross-linking for his left eye and a cornea transplant for his right eye). This is not fully covered by insurance, leaving him with an estimated $7,000-$10,000 cost to cover himself (see attached document for details).

We are raising funds to help cover the costs for the treatment he needs to save his eyesight and improve his quality of life. Your donation will go directly toward medical expenses, including consultations, procedures, and follow-up care.

I want my son to experience life to its fullest. I want him to have a successful career, see places, pursue his passions, and enjoy every moment. With your help, Luca can appreciate the gift of clear vision to a bright future.