Hi, my name is Dillon, and I’m raising funds for my mom, Julia.

Julia has a complex jaw reconstruction surgery scheduled at UC Davis on January 26, 2026. Medicaid covers the surgery, but we need help with the travel, lodging, and caregiver costs that make it possible.

The Story

Her journey didn’t start with a dental issue or an accident. It began when she was the victim of a violent assault by a man, and her jaw was broken. Since then, she’s been fighting for years to heal and live normally again.

Over the last four years, my mom has undergone 14 operations. Despite the best efforts of local doctors, her lower jaw is still broken, and she has dealt with repeated infections, pain, and serious complications.

The Solution: A Major Surgery

Julia has finally been referred to specialists at UC Davis because her case is so complex. Her team has scheduled a microvascular fibula free flap reconstruction of the mandible for January 26, 2026. This type of surgery is often a long operation (commonly 6 to 12 hours) and typically involves a hospital stay that can be around 10 to 14 days, depending on recovery.

Surgeons will rebuild her jaw using bone from her lower leg and reconnect tiny blood vessels. This is her best chance to finally have stability, relief, and a real recovery.

Why We Need Help

Julia lives in Reno, Nevada, but her surgery and recovery must happen in Sacramento, California. While Medicaid covers the surgery itself, it does not cover the non-medical necessities: travel, lodging, and having a caregiver present.

She’ll be hospitalized for about 10 days. She cannot do this alone. She needs someone by her side to communicate with the care team, advocate for her, and help her through those first critical days.

How You Can Help

Every dollar reduces the stress so Julia can focus entirely on healing.

● Lodging: Hotel near UC Davis Medical Center for the length of her hospital stay (expected around 10 days, but could be longer if recovery requires it)

● Transportation: Gas, parking, and travel costs between Reno and Sacramento, plus local trips to and from the hospital

● Meals: Food and basic daily necessities for her support person while staying near the hospital

● Time off work: Helping cover lost wages or unpaid time off so her support person can be present the entire time

● Post discharge support: If needed, limited paid caregiving or in home help after discharge during the first stage of recovery

● Recovery essentials: Basic supplies and comfort items insurance does not cover (wound care basics, compression items, etc.)

If you cannot donate, please share this link. Sharing is often what reaches the people who can help most.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping my mom finally get her life back. (I’ll post updates as we book travel and lodging and as we get closer to surgery.)