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Surgery fund for Hae-won: cataract surgery in Gwangju

After gallstones with repeated infections, Hae-won was cleared for cataract surgery, but the bill is more than we can manage.

🇰🇷 South Korea3,753 views
Hae-won Kyung-mi Bae
Email verified
Gwangju
In June I was diagnosed with gallstones with repeated infections. My surgeon at Gwangju Orthopedic Institute recommended cataract surgery, and I have been placed on the schedule for August. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $4,150, and after what our health plan will pay, I'm still $2,500 short. Doctors at Gwangju Orthopedic Institute told me gallstones with repeated infections will get worse without cataract surgery. I work as a retail assistant, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $4,150 is far beyond what I've. Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a retail assistant 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 work a full shift during that time, so this has become a financial emergency as well as a medical one. I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section. Where the $2,500 goes: • Physiotherapy sessions: $210 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $160 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $1,750 • Travel and lodging for the family: $160 • Post-operative medication: $220 Glad we found this place. - Hae-won
due date
2026-08-25
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Hae-won

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($2,017 in total) the plan for surgeon and anesthesia fees is now scheduled. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. Wanted to say thank you properly. 44% funded and I made the first payment toward post-operative medication.

  3. Quick update: $658 raised so far (26%). the first invoice got paid this week. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Megan C. Zulu 🇿🇦 · $100

    “Hope it all works out! - Bloemfontein”

  • Tariq Umar Abbasi 🇵🇰 · $100
  • Sun-woo Sun-woo Ha 🇰🇷 · $100
  • Bilal Usman Farooqi 🇵🇰 · $100
  • Lakshmi Nilmini Nanayakkara 🇱🇰 · $100
  • Mariana Eliane Batista 🇧🇷 · $100

    “Praying for you. From Contagem with love. - Contagem”

  • Cynthia Jordan 🇬🇧 · $100
  • Aditi D. Kapoor 🇬🇧 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇪🇬 · $100
  • Julián B. Valdez 🇲🇽 · $75
  • Nolan G. Callahan 🇺🇸 · $75
  • Burcu Acar 🇹🇷 · $75
  • Ricardo Eduardo Gonçalves 🇧🇷 · $51
  • Eli S. Tucker 🇺🇸 · $50

    “Thought of Hae-won all day after reading this. - Fresno”

  • Ruth Bridges 🇺🇸 · $50
  • Susana B. Navarro 🇪🇸 · $50

    “Hope the August deadline works out. - Valencia”

  • Njoroge Kiprop Kimani 🇹🇿 · $50

    “Praying for you. Thought of Hae-won all day after reading this.”

  • Madhavan H. Goud 🇮🇳 · $50
  • Christopher Schmidt 🇺🇸 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇳🇬 · $50

Reviews

4.0(2 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Mussa Kimani Nabwire🇹🇿Verified helper
    Would recommend to anyone

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Apio Anyango Urassa🇹🇿Verified helper
    Exceptional service

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

Questions & comments

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  • Lawrence D. Singh

    Take care, Hae-won. Your post was clear and honest. After 6 years in teaching I know how hard it's to ask for anything. Thinking of Gwangju

    • Zenaida E. Pineda

      Hang in there, Hae-won. I hope things turn around soon. My daughter saw me on my phone and now she wants to give her pocket money. Love from Palermo.

      • Eri Mariko YokoyamaID verified

        wishing you peace, Hae-won. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. My sister had a similar thing happen so this one hit home

        • Beatriz F. Villalobos

          I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Greetings from Ottawa.

          • Violet F. Torres

            You're not alone, Hae-won. Hope you get there. Take care

            • Sophie Colette Morin

              Shared it with a few friends. I went through something like this 5 years ago and strangers helped me out. Blessings

              • Jayden P. DunnID verified

                Thanks for sharing this, Hae-won. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick.

                • Efua Rita Armah

                  Thanks for sharing this, Hae-won. Look after yourselves too, caregivers need rest. Love from Puebla.

                  • Márcia Ana Amaral

                    Hope this works out for you. My husband and I read this together. Love from Nagpur.

                    • Gun-woo Jae-won JooPhoto verified

                      Keep going, Hae-won. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. Wish I lived closer to Manila so I could bring a meal.

                      • Jan Manfred Seidel

                        Wishing you peace. Hope the doctors have good news. Greetings from Detroit

                        • Samuel BowersID verified

                          Hope it all works out. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. I'll check back for the next update. All the best.

                          $2,777.50 raised of $2,500

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