Cairo’s Top Surgery Fund.

My Story

(Picture on the left is from: 2015. picture on the right is from: 2018. Almost 2 years on Testosterone. )

Some of you might have seen part of my journey on Channel 4- the Making Of Me. what a journey its been! This Has been a long time coming, and i have been working my hardest to organise and save and prepare for top surgery. I am hand on my heart, ready to take this next step.

I am over the moon with the physical changes testosterone has done for me, the more my body is changing and becoming more masculine, as well as hairy and its making me more conscious of body, in particular my chest.

I really wish I can get top surgery this year as it will be a big relief and free me of my chest dysphoria. Its something I have thought about for the last two and half years and this is the biggest quest of my life to raise these funds, but it something I need to do.any help would be greatly appreciated and make a huge difference for me. I have been documenting my journey this far on my blog: Becoming Cairo: www.becomingcairo.com please feel free to read.

What is top surgery, you ask?

WHY DO I NEED TOP SURGERY?

1. I suffer from dysphoria/ anxiety over about my chest area. My chest can leave me feeling distressed, makes me feel uncomfortable in my own body.

2. Its really awkward, when I go to the gym and can never shower there. which when I am going to work after it just takes twice as long because I have to come all the way home to shower first.

3. I am living and working and socialising as a man, I never leave the house without flatting down my chest. I wear compression sports bras/ vest for over 12 hours + a day. (Which is the best solution I have right now, When you bind for that amount of hours it is painful, I often get neck and shoulder pain, even sharp pains in my sides/ribs.

3. Whenever I shower, or whenever I put on or take off my sports bra/binder I am remind daily that I don’t have a completely flat chest. (and that I have breasts, which just makes me cringe even saying that because that’s how wrong they feel on my body.) I feel restricted, I just want to go swimming/ Or beach or be in a changing room and feel comfortable about that.

4. It is the greatest gift, you could ever give me! I just want to be at ease and comfortable in my own skin & be free.

WHY NOT GET IT ON THE NHS?

There are a few reason why I am not going to get Top Surgery done on the NHS.

1. Because I have been discharged from the NHS pathway, (due to a GP who wouldn’t cooperate with me and let their personal opinions get in the way, of their job.) After a year of being chased by the Gender Clinic my GP failed to complete my referral form, meaning they could never accept me as their patient without a completed referral. I got discharged after a year of being left in limbo.

2. That is the only way to access the NHS pathway. Due to waiting times and being left in limbo, after about 6 months of getting nowhere, I decided to go private. Even though I couldn’t really afford it, it was the best choice I made. (I could appeal, but I would have to go back to square one after waiting a year! and due to the backlog of people and limited resources, I would still be looking a 2-3 years waiting list for top surgery.) Which is a very long time and is why I have turned to crowd funding...

WHERE WILL HAVE TOP SURGERY?

After a two years of researching and much thought I have decided that I would like to travel to Cleverland Ohio, because Dr. Daniel Medalie is the surgeon I most trust and would like to perform my top surgery.

This isn’t something I take lightly and it’s a one-time thing. This will last a life time, I want to know I am in good hands and with the right surgeon.

Guess What? GOOD NEWS; ITS A MIRACLE!

I am blessed beyond words!! Thanks to Point Of Pride: I have been sponsored by the surgeon I wanted and Dr. Medalie. I have been Awarded $2,500.

You can read full story of there blog: https://pointofpride.org/additional-2018-annual-transgender-surgery-fund-recipient-congratulations-cairo/

WHAT THE FUNDS COVER:

All the funds will directly towards the cost of the surgery:

* $7370 for the procedure: This includes all fees- anesthesia, facility, surgeon. Plus $65 consultation fee+ recommended Doctors Letter.

**This Does Not Include The Cost of flights /Accommodation. me and my girlfriend have been saving for that**

Original ORIGINAL TARGET: £5,650.

However since I have been blessed with this award! and together with your kind donations:

The Current Goal is: £900.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE:

With All My Love,

Cairo X

My Links:

Twitter: @Cairo_Leon & Instagram: Cairo_ Leon Youtube: Cairo Leon.