Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out with a heartfelt plea to help my friend, Steph Fries, who needs reconstructive surgery to repair obstructed nasal airways that are preventing her from breathing through her nose. As a toddler, Steph suffered a traumatic injury when her nose was badly broken. At the time, professional medical intervention was not sought, eliciting chronic nose bleeds and airway obstruction ever since. With age and the growth of bone spurs, this has edged to significant obstruction. She needs a surgery at UCSF, however insurance refuses to cover a portion -- $9,965.

While such a surgery might seem like yet another surgery commonly refused by health insurance in the USA, there’s more to it. Steph has endured sustained adversity concerning more than one health circumstance, and never even talks about it to anyone. As long as I have known her, she’s been tough and independent, working a full time job supporting herself without handouts from friends or family.

Steph endured several surgeries in the 90s for recurrent bone tumours. In her 20s she suffered horrific abdominal pains that were dismissed by others. After nearly escaping major complications, she turned out to have stage four endometriosis. With such oppressive pain, a hysterectomy was required that involved removing areas damaged by cysts, tumors, and scar tissue.

If that was not enough, a couple years later she developed seizures as a result of a brain tumor. With headaches barely allayed by potent pain relievers, a major university hospital claimed the tumor was inoperable. Another research hospital successfully removed it, but with some remaining complications.

This was followed by major dental issues stemming from gastroesophageal and genetic problems. $30,000 was invested in unsuccessful surgery with jaw bone spurs arising, requiring another major surgery.

She ended up having stomach surgery due to worries she would develop esophageal cancer. Then her health issue became more of a challenge when she developed pernicious anemia and a couple rare metabolic disorders that have been complicated to treat.

She nonchalantly mentioned to me recently that due to many challenges at the current time, she might need to go without this surgery. I couldn’t bear the thought of her having to deal with another issue just because of a health insurance company placing profit over patient wellbeing.

Several years ago when I was sick, Steph wheeled me in a wheelchair from Richmond onto BART and MUNI to spend the day at the UCSF ER without me even asking. This is but one story in her just being a true friend. I hate to see her suffer, and wish I could do more.

Any amount donated will go directly to the surgery bill and nothing else.