Please help Luiza after her Lung Cancer Surgery

Hello friends, family, and kind strangers,

We are reaching out to you today with a story of hope and resilience. Our hearts are full of gratitude as we share the news that my incredible girlfriend, Luiza, is overwhelmingly likely to survive a brush with lung cancer. Thankfully, her prognosis is good, and she will likely only require surgery to overcome this challenge. However, the road to recovery is filled with unexpected hurdles, and we need your support to help us manage the tremendous medical expenses she is incurring during this period.

Luiza's battle with cancer began a few months ago when she started experiencing a persistent cough and shortness of breath. After two courses of antibiotics, x-rays, CTs, and a bronchoscopy, her pulmonologist finally found a mass in the upper lobe of her left lung, which he removed a piece of for biopsy. For five days before the results were read, we were all in a state of suspended reality, trying to make sense of how a 28-year-old non-smoking health-nut could be put in this position. Last Monday, we received the life-affirming diagnosis, and the relief we felt knowing that Luiza's condition (DIPNECH, for those interested) was treatable is hard to describe.

While we are extremely fortunate that Luiza's tumor was detected early and her prognosis is optimistic, the financial burden of her medical bills is already becoming an immense challenge for her to handle. She came to the US from Brazil on a scholarship to study flute performance, and has been working cleaning school facilities 4 days a week to support herself. Even with health insurance, the out of pocket maximum expenses associated with her diagnosis, tests, and surgery (and follow-up care to come) have added up to a staggering amount that is simply beyond her means. (and that's before we even begin to factor in the lost income from being a flutist with a lung condition)

This is where we need your help. We have created this GoFundMe campaign to help alleviate the financial strain of Luiza's medical bills, allowing her to focus on her recovery without the added stress of insurmountable debt. Our goal is to raise $8,000 to cover the various expenses associated with her diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care.

We are immensely grateful for any support you can provide, whether it be through a financial contribution or by sharing this campaign with others who may be able to help. Every single dollar counts, and we appreciate any assistance you can offer.

Thank you!!