Xo's Wish to Dig for Dinos in Mongolia

Hi,

I'm Xoanon.

I'm a lifelong dinosaur tragic and current uni student studying Geoscience.

I've recently been offered the opportunity to go to Mongolia for two weeks and participate in an expedition to uncover fossils, as well as geochemically map the rocks they are found in. This data could one day be used to identify the point of origin of black market fossils.

Unfortunately this trip isn't cheap, and for the past year I have been unable to work (and had to put study off too) after being diagnosed with cervical cancer at the start of 2023.

I underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and finally got given the good news - remission!

Six months later, I was finally feeling well enough to head back to work when I had to take more time off - this time for a lump on my kidney identified during a scan. It looked sus, and they wanted to take it out.

I've just undergone surgery for removal of this suspected renal cell carcinoma.

So I'm sitting here now, a casual worker with no sick leave, and no savings, thinking about how I don't think I'm going to get to do this amazing bucket-list trip.

This made me sad, and angry, and sad all over again. It felt unfair. I might not be a saint, and sure have my faults, but I really feel like Karma has flogged me this last year.

Please help me fulfil my inner little girl's dream of being a paleontologist, even if it's just for two weeks.