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Eli's cataract surgery can't wait - please help us cover the bill

Eli needs cataract surgery at Tampa Orthopedic Institute and the family is $7,350 short of the hospital's estimate.

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Eli F. Knight
Email verifiedAddress verified
Tampa
In February I was diagnosed with a cleft palate needing repair. My surgeon at Tampa Orthopedic Institute recommended cataract surgery, and I have been placed on the schedule for June. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $9,750, and after what the public health scheme will pay, I'm still $7,350 short. Doctors at Tampa Orthopedic Institute told me a cleft palate needing repair will get worse without cataract surgery. I work as a call-centre agent, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $9,750 is far beyond what I've. Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a call-centre agent have already been cut. Every week of waiting means more pain and a bigger risk. Rehabilitation is expected to take about 5 weeks. I'll not be able to look after the children alone during that time, so this has become a financial emergency as well as a medical one. The money goes straight to the treatment bills, and I'll share the invoices as they're paid so you can see exactly what your gift did. Where the $7,350 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,500 • Hospital stay (5 nights): $2,450 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $490 • Post-operative medication: $230 • Physiotherapy sessions: $330 • Travel and lodging for the family: $350 Thanks for reading all this. - Eli
due date
2026-06-17
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Eli

  1. 87% there. I made the first payment toward post-operative medication. Thank you.

  2. Good news. Because of your gifts ($3,225 in total) I met with the hospital and confirmed the amounts. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  3. Small update. $2,047 so far, the first invoice got paid this week.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Nicolas Yann Fabre 🇫🇷 · $41

    “Only $41 but hope it helps. - Paris”

  • Georgios Spyridon Papadakis 🇬🇷 · $20
  • Maria Watson 🇺🇸 · $25

    “Keep your head up. Hope the May deadline works out. - San Antonio”

  • Nicholas B. Munoz 🇺🇸 · $30.50
  • Hellen Naliaka Wekesa 🇰🇪 · $47

    “Only $47 but hope it helps. - Nairobi”

  • Ngozi Temitope Uzor 🇳🇬 · $25

    “Rooting for you. Please keep us posted. - Port Harcourt”

  • Carter W. Gilbert 🇺🇸 · $50
  • Jayson H. Bautista 🇵🇭 · $5

    “Thought of Eli all day after reading this. - Quezon City”

  • Courtney K. Cooper 🇺🇸 · $200
  • Isabelle Cole 🇬🇧 · $12
  • Kennedy P. Byrd 🇺🇸 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇬🇧 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇳🇬 · $25

    “Wishing you the best. Hope the May deadline works out. - Epe”

  • Elias D. Bailey 🇺🇸 · $75

    “Best of luck. Thought of Eli all day after reading this. - Buffalo”

  • Sebastião Anderson Xavier 🇧🇷 · $25

    “Hope it all works out. Hope the May deadline works out. - Caxias do Sul”

  • Zahid Hasan Siddique 🇧🇩 · $5
  • Micah W. Ortega 🇺🇸 · $5

    “Wish I could do more. Thought of Eli all day after reading this. - Sacramento”

  • Khalid Hadi Siddiqui 🇪🇬 · $50
  • Ellie H. Contreras 🇦🇺 · $50
  • Aria F. Hudson 🇺🇸 · $25

    “All the best. My colleague told me about this one. - Springfield”

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  • Ayşe Şule Bozkurt

    So sorry you're going through this, Eli. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Sent it to 20 people at work. Take care.

    • Michelle M. PascualPhoto verified

      Thanks for sharing this. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. Don't be hard on yourself for asking.

      • Ajay Bhardwaj

        good luck, Eli. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected.

        • Manuel B. Cordero

          Shared this with my family. My neighbor in Hồ Chí Minh City donated after I showed her your page. Take care.

          • Greyson R. BennettID verified

            Thanks for sharing this. Shared this with my family. Love from Lagos

            $8,536 raised of $7,350

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