AJ’s top surgery fund

$600 of $10,000 goal
Given by 25 generous donors in around 11 months

Crowdfunding to be able to afford private top surgery

Canterbury

Hi, I’m a young trans man choosing not to give my legal name for safety reasons. I’m starting this fund because I was recently rejected from my country’s public waiting list for top surgery due to lack of funding. This surgery would give me the ability to live happily and confidently in my own skin, something I cannot currently do because of the intense gender dysphoria that I have been diagnosed with. It’s difficult to explain how debilitating this condition is to those who do not have it, but I will say that not a day goes by that the existence of my chest does not weigh on me (literally). However, I am not in a place where I can afford this surgery privately. I am only 18, and my only income comes from my minimum wage job, and from my small, independent business. However, most of my job income goes towards the board that I pay to be able to live where I do, and what I make from sales is minimal. It is my hope to be able to cover most of the cost by saving tirelessly over the next few years, but I can’t guarantee how much I will be able to raise on my own, with how little I earn. The surgery, anaesthesia and hospital fees come to a minimum of $25,000 New Zealand Dollars, all of which must be paid upfront before the surgery can take place. I didn’t want to have to start a fund such as this, but I do not have my family’s support, and I feel incredibly alone. Anything at all would help me in my journey towards getting this surgery in the next couple of years. Thank you

Use of funds

Any funds raised will go towards top surgery (double-mastectomy) as a form of gender-affirming care.

Funds will be paid to my friend, Safiyya, on my behalf.

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Latest update

as of July  25 July 2025

Hey everyone,

I wanted to give a brief update on my situation because some time has passed since my last one. I’ve gone from having no job to two, but both are part-time so I’m not earning as much as I was (that being said I have an interview for a third on Tuesday, so fingers crossed). Mentally I’m still feeling pretty hopeless, but I’m grateful to be able to save again.

- AJ

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Latest donations

holly
holly on 31 Jul 2025
$50
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 06 Jun 2025
$100
k.m.
k.m. on 22 May 2025
$10
Everett
Everett on 21 May 2025
You got this!
$40
Crow
Crow on 12 Apr 2025
Hope we can help you reach this goal! You're not alone in this 💜 best of luck
$22
August Raines (alias)

thank you SO MUCH i appreciate you!

August Raines (alias)

Who's involved?

August Raines (alias)'s avatar
Created by August Raines (alias)
Safiyya Searles's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of Safiyya Searles
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This campaign started on 29 Jan 2025 and ends on 13 Jan 2026.