Hello, my name is LaVerne. I'm trying to raise funds for a much needed surgery for the diagnosis of right leg lymphedema. This surgery will be held at Humber River Hospital in Toronto (should the funds be raised).

This surgery would be life changing for me as I have lived with this condition for over 25 years!! I grew up with two symmetrical legs and I never knew that I carried this disease until I got pregnant with my first child; after delivering my first beautiful baby boy, I realized that one of my legs was substantially bigger than the other...only to find out that it was lymphedema and that there's no cure!! I was devastated to say the least!!

Over the years, the right leg continued to grow in size, and it brought so much trauma, self shame and humiliation. As a young lady, I have had people criticize, and humiliate me over the years and it was just devastating for me, seeing that this was not always the case.

However, in 2020, I had a glimmer of hope and through an amazing doctor (that specializes in lymphedema surgery), I was able to undergo lymphatic supermicrosurgery, that helped the underlying cause of the disease, but is not a cure. It helped for a short period of time, but then the leg began to increase in size and get even bigger than before.

The supermicrosurgery was covered by our provincial plan (of which I'm grateful). However, there is still so much more to do to help bring some normalcy to my life.

My surgeon has proposed a surgery to remove the access fat and fluid from my right leg that will dramatically reduce the limb and help bring some normalcy and healing to my life again. But I need your help as this surgery is NOT covered by OHIP!!

All funds raised will be used for the hospital costs (operating room, surgery supplies etc.), surgeon and nursing costs.

Thank you all for your continued support!

LaVerne Rose