Hi, my name is Leyna and I'm fundraising for my dear friend Kathleen who needs to have an emergency surgery in Costa Rica.

For those who don't know, CR is where I live and Kathleen has been there for the past few months working to build her online English teaching career.

Last week I left for a 3-week trip to the US and she agreed to house/pet sit for me. A few days in, she slipped on a wet tile in my house and badly broke her right arm. With the help of several friends, we were able to get her to the hospital but upon arrival, they told her that they couldn't do surgery if she didn't have the cash to pay up front (they need ~$10K for the surgery alone).

Because she's not a CR resident, she can't be treated in the public hospital. She doesn't have travel or international health insurance to cover a private hospital. And because she's so badly injured, it's not safe for her to fly back to the US to have the surgery, and most likely the airlines wouldn't let her fly in her condition anyway.

She is in desperate need of our help. She's in excruciating pain and needs this surgery ASAP not only to relieve the pain but to give her the best chance at a complete recovery.

Time is of the essence and every dollar counts. If you're unable to send a financial contribution, please consider sharing this post, let's spread the word as far as we can!

Thank you!

We prefer Venmo, since GoFundMe is taking a fee: @LeynaBookin