Surgery fund for Everett: a partial thyroidectomy in Manukau

Everett was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor in May. The surgeon at Saint Luke Hospital recommended a partial thyroidectomy, and He is scheduled for July. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $7,500, and after what the government subsidy will pay we're still $5,950 short. my brother has been in and out of Saint Luke Hospital since May. The doctors say a benign brain tumor will get worse without a partial thyroidectomy. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $7,500 is more than we can find. While we wait, Everett struggles with daily life and can't lift anything heavy. His family has taken turns caring for him, and I've cut my own work hours to be there. Rehabilitation is expected to take about 10 weeks. During that time Everett won't be able to lift anything heavy, 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 $5,950 goes: • Travel and lodging for the family: $360 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $610 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,050 • Hospital stay (2 nights): $1,930 I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen. - Mia