Hello friends, family, and supporters,

——— UPDATE ———

July 24th, 2025

Thank you to all those who donated either or both times! Unfortunately I need a little more help because I am struggling to fund the remainder of my lawyer fee, which they rightly deserve! I am thankful for all the generosity I have been shown so far, and if you are able to help me out again or share with people you think might be able to donate I would thankful (again). It’s honestly not easy to ask others for help so I’m super appreciative to everyone taking the time to read this!

——— UPDATE ———

Thank you all to those who donated back in December and January! It has really made a huge difference for me and I was able to pay for my first deposit! However, months later I find myself in need again - my original plan had been to submit my application through standard processing but it is now taking up to 10.5 months for applicants to hear if they have approved or not. Under this new administration I would be required to leave the US after my visa expires June 30th until I receive approval, and as I am not in the position to wait, I will now have to expedite the process, and am hoping to submit early June. This is a little unexpected but my lawyer and I felt it was the best option for my case. This means however that I need to fundraise the additional fee for premium processing, which is a guaranteed two week response time for $2805, in addition to the $820 filing fee ($3635 total). I have increased the funding goal to $8835 (the new amount plus the original $5200 that was raised last time). My lawyer is generously letting me work out a more long-term plan for the remainder their fee, but I in need of help raising the premium processing and filing fees. Thank you again to everyone who donated last time, and I hope if you are able to donate you will consider doing so, and if not please share with others!

——— End of update ———

I’m reaching out today to ask for your help with two important expenses: the deposit for my O-1 visa application and some upcoming dental bills. It’s a bit of a challenging time for me financially, and your support would make all the difference as I navigate through these hurdles.

For those of you who don’t know, I am a costume designer for theatre and film. It’s a profession that has been my passion for many years, and I’ve had the privilege of working on some incredible productions. However, this past year has been particularly tough. After the pandemic, the theatre industry hasn’t fully bounced back, and theatre work has slowed down significantly. The 2023 writer’s strike has decreased the number of commercials I work on, which helped keep me afloat between theatre gigs. While I’ve always been able to juggle different projects to stay afloat, this year has been a little more difficult financially.

I’ve been managing well, but then I ran into some unavoidable health costs. I had been putting off a root canal for several months, hoping I could wait until things pick up, but it got to a point where I couldn’t avoid it any longer and I needed to relieve the pain immediately. The dental work was not covered by my insurance (surprise, surprise) and has set me back financially, though I’ve already covered much of it out of pocket. There are still some remaining bills, totaling $1677, but if I can get about $1,000 covered, it would buy me some time to pay the remainder of the balance as I wait for upcoming deposits.

In addition to dental expenses, I’m in the process of applying for my fourth O-1 visa. This visa allows me to continue working in the U.S. as an artist, which is critical for my career. I’ve been through this process three times before, and I’m working with Dyer Harris, the same firm I’ve trusted in the past, to help with my application. I’m confident they will do an excellent job and relieve me of a lot of the stress that comes with applying for this type of visa.

The deposit for the O-1 visa application is $3,000, which is required to get the process started. This, combined with the remaining $1,000 dental costs, is the total amount I’m hoping to raise. The O-1 visa is necessary to maintain my ability to work in the U.S. as a costume designer, so securing this funding is crucial to my livelihood and ongoing career as a creative professional.

I’ve always prided myself on being independent and resourceful, but right now, I find myself in a position where any contribution, no matter how small, would make a huge difference. Whether you are able to donate or simply share this campaign with your network, both would be deeply appreciated.

Here’s how the funds will be used:

• $3,000 for the deposit on my O-1 visa application.

• $1,000 for remaining dental expenses that I’ve incurred from a root canal and related care.

While I’ve been able to manage my career and expenses well over the years, this combination of unexpected dental costs and the O-1 visa application deposit has stretched my finances thin. Your support will allow me to continue doing the work I love, without the burden of these looming financial obstacles.

If you’re able to contribute, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Any amount, no matter how small, helps me get closer to my goal. If you’re unable to donate at this time, sharing this campaign with others would mean just as much. Your support will help me stay on track as I continue to pursue my passion for costume design.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I am incredibly grateful for any help you can provide. With your support, I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to continue creating art and contributing to the entertainment industry that has shaped my career.

With deep gratitude,

Dina El-Aziz

Costume Designer