Sam's Top Surgery Fund!

Hi, my name is Sam (they/them) and you may know me by my pen name Sam Farren. I am an agender/non-binary lesbian individual currently slated to have top surgery on the 16th of April 2024. I am raising funds for the surgery and recovery period.

If you have read any of my books, you will have met a whole cast of trans characters. Many of these, such as Reis (Dragonoak), Tanen (Brackish), and Savu (BLACK SNAKE) (all they/them!) have been the main way I have been able to express a resolution to my dysphoria. I also write a lot of trans women and transfemme characters, and I build fantasy worlds in which trans characters are not oppressed, but still exist as distinct from cis people as a way to celebrate the beauty I see in trans people all around me. I write about fantasy solutions for trans healthcare including HRT and gender affirming surgery, including a witch named Feros (they/them) in Bitfrost who specialises in potions for trans people.

After many, many years I am excited to be in a position where I can take a big step into presenting as I truly feel. In 2019 I requested a referral to the gender clinic through the NHS. As of 2023, I have just been PUT on the waiting list, and I know through other people that the current wait is estimated at NINE years. I am 35, and I’ve wanted this surgery as long as I’ve had reason to want this surgery, before I even knew it existed, and I don’t have it in me to wait another nine years.

Therefore, my wife and I have decided that now is the right time for me to pursue private gender affirming care. After my surgery consultation, I have booked the date for 16 April 2024 and the cost of the surgery is £7500. We are hoping to raise the full amount, and to exceed the goal is ideal (see below about my employment) but no matter what, this surgery is something I HAVE to go through with, even if it means splitting the cost on credit cards.

I work as a postal worker, which means I need the full recommended six weeks of recovery at minimum before I can risk starting work again. My job requires constant heavy lifting, raising my arms, and carrying a bag with a strap across the chest. These are, unfortunately, all non-optional functions of my occupation.

Additionally, my wife, who will be taking care of me post-op, is currently unable to work due to multiple chronic illnesses, and so our only source of income is my job. With a wife, two cats, and a snake to provide for, I absolutely cannot risk going back to work too soon and jeopardizing all our financial security.

Therefore, any additional funds raised will go towards my recovery. If I am so lucky as to raise beyond what I need, I will redistribute the remainder to other trans people’s gender affirming care.

Thank you for reading, please share this with anyone who you think might support this cause. Thanks :)