Please help Sophie breathe

Hi, my name is Soraya and I am fundraising for my dear friend Rachael and her family.

Rachael's youngest daughter, Sophie, aged 17, urgently needs medically necessary surgery to correct a severe septal deviation and enlarged turbinates in her only functioning nostril, a condition she was born with. For 17 years, this has meant her nasal airway is almost completely blocked. Every night, she struggles to sleep because she is forced to breathe through her mouth. This leaves her constantly tired and at risk for further health complications. Her condition is so severe now that she cannot breathe through her nose at all while sleeping. As a result, she experiences frequent sinus infections, respiratory infections and migraines that add to her wakefulness as they begin in the early hours of the morning and impact her sleep further. Despite her resilience, Sophie's quality of life has been deeply affected. Sophie is a Year 12 student in NSW and has been under extreme strain trying to maintain the energy and focus needed to set her up for success.

Sophie's condition requires urgent surgical intervention to correct her septal deviation and reduce the size of her turbinates. This is not a cosmetic procedure—it is medically necessary so she can breathe normally and live a healthy life. The septal deviation is so bad she will need to have her septum replaced with a prosthetic one. Unfortunately, the cost of surgery and related medical expenses are far beyond what her family can afford, especially as they are currently experiencing financial hardship.

All funds raised will go directly towards:

Every dollar will make a difference in helping Sophie finally experience what most of us take for granted: the ability to breathe freely, sleep soundly, and live life to the fullest.

Please donate any amount, big or small, to help bring Sophie closer to the surgery she desperately needs and / or please share Sophie's story with your friends, family, and social networks to help us reach our goal.

Thank you for taking the time to read Sophie's story and for any support you can give. Your generosity will help change her life forever.

Soraya