"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth -- and, well, 30 others. I am Jackie, a 66 year old freelance writer & sometime game designer, as well as a retiree from 30 years with Buncombe County Libraries. I have Type II Diabetes and, among other things, a shoulder that needs replacement. I also need dentures, and that's why I'm reaching out to anyone who can help.

The short story is that it will cost about 3,000 dollars to get my 11 remaining teeth pulled and a set of good dentures ( plus a back-up set.) This is money that I don't have because I am on a fixed income - pension & social security. After consulting with the dental group who will do the requisite work, I realized that for my health I needed to go the denture route. My shoulder replacement specialist , in face, will not "fix" my shoulder until my teeth are no longer a source of infection. If you don't already know it, diabetics take longer to heal and are more easily apt to come down with post-surgery infections due to their compromised immune systems.

At my age, neither I nor my doctors want to risk that. I do have dental insurance, which will pay part of the cost -- but as I understand it, my out of pocket fees for getting the rest of my teeth pulled will be $600.00. The denture package I would like costs $ 1,895.00 -- for a total of 2,495.00. I added an extra $500 to cover unforeseen costs (including price increases depending on how long it takes before I can afford this.

Several people have recommended this funding method as a way for me to raise the money for my dentures. Yes, I'm begging -- from my friends. I am hoping that you can help even a little. If you know me, you know that I have donated what I can afford to various causes and to people I believe in. I'm hoping you can do the same.

Thank you for everything you've already done for me.