Hi, my name is Maia, and I am raising money for my dad. My dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2005, which forever changed his health and quality of life. The treatment for said cancer consisted of radiation beads, placed in his bladder. Although this ultimately cured his cancer, he faced one severe side effect; the radiation caused his teeth to become brittle and fall out. This limited him from years and years of eating many foods and gaining job opportunities. Both of my parents, despite both having had cancer, have never failed to do as much as possible for my sister and I, ensuring that we have always been taken care of. Because of this, we have always been at the forefront of their decisions and finances. Now, my dad recently discovered that he must get an intensive dental surgery with an 18-month long recovery, or his jaw will collapse. Anyone could say “get the dental surgery to save your life,” except he cannot as the total cost is $72,000. This dental surgery includes the reconstruction of his mouth, as well as the creation and insertion of dental implants. Since the dental work falls under dentistry instead of medicine, and almost cosmetics as a specialty, insurance does not cover the costs. 

With my parents, already putting all of their money into a broken home and getting two kids through college, this dental surgery is purely a fairy-tale. I would do anything to give even an ounce back to my dad for all of the things he’s done for me. He deserves as many living years left as possible, especially considering all of the fighting he has done and continues to do. His fighting is not over. I ask that you please take my dad and his life into consideration. The goal/surgery is extremely expensive, but any bit makes a significant contribution to making this fairy-tale a possibility. Thank you for your kindness, consideration, and generosity.

Sincerely,

Maia Maras