Hi friends and GFM family, I'm reaching out once again to help a dear friend to receive much needed medical care!

My friend Georgia is a bright soul, dedicated in sharing her Brazilian culture and history, and helping open opportunities to young people and other services in her community.

A few months ago, she had to be hospitalized for a body infection caused by

Penitonsillar abscesses. Enlarged tonsils/adenoids can cause inflammation and bacterial infections of those tissues, which can result in blocked airways, inability to eat/drink or move the mouth from swelling, ear infections, fevers, strep throat, and can spread and worsen to things like pneumonia.

I personally had this same problem when I was small, and I know the pain of constantly being sick and unable to speak or eat. For Georgia as a working young adult, this affects her daily life, as the episodes of sickness affects her ability to work and help provide for her family, and show up for her community. Earlier episodes have even caused one of her ear drums to rupture, which now causes chronic ear pain. Now, its beginning to take over as the worsening symptoms and hospitalizations are keeping her from rest, work and good quality of life.

Georgia is currently waitlisted to receive a tonsillectomy, septoplasty, and turbinectomy. While the public health care system allows the surgery to be done for free, she has to pay for anesthesia and associated costs (approx. R$4,000), plus as the cost of medications to keep the flare-ups controlled in the meantime.

It is a high cost for a working-class Brazilian, and hard to attain when constantly sick. That is why I'm hoping that my community of friends and frequent patrons can help me raise what she needs so that she can be treated quickly as soon as she can, and be able to resume her daily life and doing what she loves most!

I am seeking to raise at least $1000 USD, to cover the costs for the anesthesia, along with a little extra to help offset any medication and food/home costs until she has recovered. Any level of giving, even $5-10 is deeply appreciated. Thank you in advance for your liberality in giving!