Make EJ Giugno's Top Surgery a Reality

Hello!

This gofundme is being created and run by Angie Rodriguez, myself, and I am raising money on behalf of my amazing, loving, and brave fiancé, EJ.

EJ identifies as a trans-masc, queer man who has been medically transitioning for the last few years. A few months ago EJ was luckily able to connect with a surgeon who agreed to perform his top surgery. However, around the same time he provided insurance information, his plan changed unexpectedly and has since given him a lot of trouble with getting his scheduled surgery in July covered. He also recently has been denied coverage for the second time. He will likely have to postpone his surgery if unable to get these funds, and this process alone has taken him over a year to secure. 

Even if he does postpone, we are likely to continue to have to figure out how to pay for his procedure out of pocket. This gofundme is a fraction of the total cost, but ANYTHING helps. 

To give some more context, EJ is a full time grad student, balancing internships and things that make it really difficult for him to find another job-and making ends meet is hard already. The battle with insurance and just in general with life and money has been truly difficult, exhausting and discouraging, undoubtedly the most for EJ himself, with great impacts on his mental health. 

This money would help EJ have financial stability the next few months, especially while out of work post surgery and may also help cover some of the costs of his surgery if we can’t get the insurance mess figured out.

My hope is that we can create things like this to help make EJ’s surgery a definite possibility. I’ve never known someone to be so brave, so strong and ressilient and deserving. Of course EVERY transgender individual deserves access to this care-duh!!! But I would be remiss if I did not do everything in my power to help EJ, and share his story. So for those that are willing and able to help, know that you are helping me ensure that EJ lives a life as his happiest, most authentic self.

If you cannot donate, thats okay! Please consider sharing at least. And happy pride month :)