Dear Friends, Family, and Amazing Strangers,
My name is Rikki, and I’m asking for help during one of the most difficult chapters of my life.
I’m a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with gastric cancer and found out through genetic testing, I have a mutation of the CDH1. Subsequently, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Before and after that journey, I lost over 200 pounds to save my life—but it came at a cost I wasn’t prepared for. You see, I worked hard to turn my life around. To get healthy and fit. And yet, I am sitting here, hating myself.
Today, I’m living with the heavy, painful burden of excess skin. It’s not just a cosmetic issue—it causes physical discomfort, limits my mobility, and worsens my already fragile mental health. On top of that, I’m disabled and living on a very low income, which makes affording surgery feel impossible.
Every day, I wake up in a body that doesn’t feel like mine. The excess skin and lack of access to facial feminization surgery make it hard to look in the mirror, hard to leave the house, and harder still to feel human. This has led to severe depression and suicidal thoughts. I feel trapped in a body that doesn’t reflect who I am or the strength I’ve shown to get here.
I’ve come so far—beating cancer, transforming my health, surviving trauma—but I can’t do this next part alone.
I’m raising funds for medically necessary skin removal surgery and facial feminization surgery—two procedures that would dramatically improve my quality of life and my mental health. These are not luxuries for me. They are essential steps toward healing and feeling beautiful.
If you can donate, I would be incredibly grateful. If you can’t, even sharing my story could help me reach someone who can. Every act of kindness counts.
You can donate here.
From the bottom of my heart—thank you for listening, for supporting, and for helping me reclaim the life I’ve fought so hard to keep.
With love and hope,
Rikki C Gross
