transitions and disruptions

Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues,

I am writing to you today to ask your help in supporting a long time, seemingly unachievable goal of mine—the ability to get top surgery (click here for more information, specifically bilateral mastectomy) as part of my lifetime journey to live more congruently with my gender identity. On July 28th I went in for a consultation with Dr. Nguyen to discuss my options and learn about the associated costs. The consultation went very well and the total cost will be just under $8000. The reality, as it is for many of us, is that I simply cannot afford to pay for this on my own. This very fact is what has kept me from pursuing this all these years.

Although I have observed and even mostly financed others in my community in order that they could get their top surgery, I believed I had to do it on my own. Partly due to pride and largely due to stubbornness I did not want to reach out to others to ask for help in the fundraising process. The reality is that I cannot comfortably wait any longer and am now choosing to reach out for help. Because I will be starting a five-year, full-time PsyD program next Fall, my goal is to get surgery before then. As the cost estimate that Dr. Nguyen’s office provided me is only good for six months, ideally I would like to be able to raise the funds within that six-month time frame.

TransEnough Support Fund

One other important aspect of my fundraising efforts to consider: I have decided that every dollar raised over and above what I need for my surgery will go towards the creation of a TransEnough support fund. This fund will be in place to assist those within the transgender, gender queer, intersex, and gender nonconforming communities to help provide greater access to things such as counseling, name changes, binders, medical related expenses, etc.  Click here to learn more about TransEnough.

How To Donate

The most important thing I want to get across is that I recognize money is tight for everyone these days and every single dollar is deeply appreciated regardless of whether you can give $1 or $1000. No amount is too small as every dollar gets me that much closer to my goal. You can follow my progress with the fundraising thermometer on the right column of this site.

There are a few ways to donate:

PayPal –

This is, perhaps, the easiest method as you can pay with credit or debit cards. This method also allows you to donate anonymously if you so desire. To donate via PayPal please click here.

By Mail –

Please email me to request the address.

In Kind Donations –

If you are unable to donate financially, I will be compiling a list of those willing to donate products and/or services for raffle or silent auction items for a future in person or online-based fundraising event in the near future. Simply email me to let me know what you would like to donate. Out of respect for your willingness to offer such a donation, please DO NOT send it at this time, as the date and format of this fundraiser has yet to be determined.

Love & Support –

I recognize for some of you that none of the above is possible and please know that your love and support is absolutely priceless.

I thank you for your time and consideration.

Humbly,

Del Rapier