Our friend Chanel Weaver needs our help in paying for her dental surgery for four chronically infected teeth. Her most recent tooth infection resulted in a trip to the hospital with a threat of endocarditis —that is to say, the doctors feared the infection could spread to Chanel’s heart and threaten her life. After getting treated with IV antibiotics and following up with her dentist and soon to be oral health surgeon-Chanel was told that she simply cannot put this surgery off any longer, because further delays will threaten her heart health as well as leave her at risk for sepsis.

However, despite working a full-time job and having medical insurance, the over $2,000 cost of the surgery after insurance is far beyond what Chanel can afford. As a single mother of two beautiful children grappling with the rapid increases in housing and food costs over the past several years, Chanel has been forced to delay this surgery time and time again.

This has been particularly hard for us to watch as Chanel’s friends. Over the years, we have seen Chanel pull herself out of homelessness and economic insecurity to secure the hard-won cozy apartment in North Merced that she shares with her two kids. Furthermore, we have seen Chanel make major lifestyle changes in order to prioritize her health and well-being, only to have these chronic infections now threaten her life.

Chanel is a light in our lives and community. She is a seasoned homelessness outreach worker, who has made caring for others her career. Outside of work, she a fantastic spoken word poet, a budding watercolor artist, and the most authentic friend I have ever known. Please help us to keep her in our lives.

Your donation goes directly to the cost of the operation and four days recovery time. Please consider supporting our wonderful friend Chanel. Your help will ensure she can smile again!