Gallbladder removal for Giorgia: covering what insurance won't

Giorgia was diagnosed with an aortic valve defect in August. The surgeon at Rome University Hospital recommended gallbladder removal, and She is scheduled for December. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $6,500, and after what our health plan will pay we're still $4,800 short. my daughter has been in and out of Rome University Hospital since August. The doctors say an aortic valve defect will get worse without gallbladder removal. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $6,500 is more than we can find. While we wait, Giorgia struggles with daily life and can't walk without help. Her family has taken turns caring for her, and I've cut my own work hours to be there. Rehabilitation is expected to take about 3 weeks. During that time Giorgia won't be able to walk without help, so the costs keep growing. 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 $4,800 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $1,850 • Hospital stay (3 nights): $2,200 • Post-operative medication: $290 • Physiotherapy sessions: $460 Thank you for reading my story. - Cristina