Top Surgery fundraiser for Kris Rice

I'm Elaine Miller, of Vancouver, and I'm fundraising for my dear friend Kris Rice, who many will know as my right-hand guy while I was running the leather shop.

Kris has got a gender-affirming surgery date lined up for April (insert sounds of wild celebration and cheering), and is in desperate need for a bit of community support to get him through this process and out out the other side safely.

Although most of the surgery costs are covered by the Canadian healthcare system (more sounds of celebration), Kris suffers from an abscess-inducing condition called Hidradenitis suppurativa, which when combined with his massive past weightloss, makes for complications that render the whole procedure more expensive, and also not fully covered by insurance!

Kris' out of pocket expenses will come to $4000 (That's $3000 for the additionally complicated surgical procedures PLUS the "we can't do this surgery in the usual office so we also have to pay a $1000 hospital fee". ) There might be GST on that, but we don't know yet.

In addition, Kris will be off work for post-surgical recovery for longer than the standard time, and I'm asking for a bit of help there, too. As he's only able to work part time, the limited E.I. he can apply for will not cover his living expenses for the (est.) eight weeks he'll take to get back on his feet. I'm hoping for an additional $2250 to cover those 2 months' costs.

Those who know him, know that the last surgery he had (last year) had some fairly awful complications, which turned into a long-drawn-out recovery, necessitating a lot of extra doctor visits and care. I'd like to get this better surgical option covered for him, and put a bit of $$padding so he's not short on groceries during recovery.

I'm asking community and allies to join me in flinging some extra dollars Kris' way. Please. And thank you.