Greetings!

My name is Cole Kippenhuck, I use they/them pronouns, and I'm a queer gender fluid Inuk Labradorian who's ready to take the next step in my gender affirming journey. With courage, humility, and gratitude I am inviting folks to support my fundraising efforts for my upcoming top surgery.

I live in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) where presently there are no surgeons who complete gender-affirming surgeries and only certain costs are covered through our provincial medical care plan (MCP). The main surgeon that NL refers folks to is located in Moncton, New Brunswick (NB).

My fluidity in gender, sexuality, and relationships is truly a part of who I am spiritually and culturally. I have experienced different layers and levels of gender dysphoria over my 50 years on planet earth. Most recently as I find myself navigating menopause, this dysphoria has risen considerably. For this reason, I finally took heart to seek gender-affirming care. It was with tears in my eyes that I received the news that I have been referred for top surgery. My goal is to raise the funds to allow me to access the surgery, which is estimated to take place sometime between October-December 2025.

The funds that I am humbly seeking to raise will cover the following costs:

Any funds that are not used I will be donating to a local organization that supports 2SLGBTQIA+ folks or any friends that are also raising funds for gender-affirming surgeries.

This is a very personal journey for me, one that brings a lot of tenderness and vulnerability. I do not ask for your help without considering my own ability to support myself as a sole proprietor of a small consultancy business. My chosen family continues to remind me that it is more than okay to ask for help. And to receive the support from those who want to help. It is with a very big heart that I say nakummek (thank you) for any ways that you chose to contribute.

I'm also very open to discussing my needs further and hearing from folks. I'm flexible on ways outside of GoFundMe to donate or provide supports. I will be sharing this campaign through my networks and social media, if you are wanting to contact me directly, please use those avenues.

I encourage folks to learn more about the great need for gender-affirming care in our communities, to advocate wherever you can for supportive services for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and to seek further education to understand why there are many people like me who are seeking gender-affirming care in a variety of ways.

I accept that not everyone will understand my need for this surgery at this stage of my life. It's not for everyone to understand. What I ask is that people stay open to the truth that this surgery will allow me to affirm myself and my body in life-changing ways.

Please know that your support and willingness to help me will always be held in beautiful ways. I will honour your gifts with responsible accountability, great respect, and deep gratitude.

With much love and good energy,

Cole