Restoring Hope and Healing for a Future Family

“It’s not cancer!”

Tears of relief streamed down Maia’s face as she absorbed the life-changing news. At 31, Maia had put her life on hold for three years due to her health struggles. Now, despite the chaos in the world, she finally feels hopeful about a new chapter beginning.

“It burned,” Maia recalls. “My insides were very sensitive, and intimacy was unbearable. I was emotionally and psychologically scared about what could happen if I tried to get pregnant.”

Unemployed for two years and working previous minimum-wage jobs, health insurance was never an option for Maia. When she visited a low-cost clinic, a vaginal cyst was discovered, and she was told surgery would cost between $5,000 and $10,000. After paying her bills, Maia had only $200 left for the month—half of which she sent to her aging parents in Mexico.

Just over a year ago, Maia was referred to Lestonnac Free Clinic for cyst removal through the Community Referral Network (CRN)—a secure, HIPAA-compliant electronic tool that connects non-profits to coordinate patient care.

Her surgery was scheduled just before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. While many non-essential surgeries were postponed indefinitely, Maia was surprised and grateful when Lestonnac confirmed her procedure would proceed as planned in early April.

Dr. Fuller, a dedicated volunteer gynecologist at Lestonnac for nearly a decade, chose to continue providing in-person care during the pandemic. He understood how critical it was to support vulnerable patients like Maia during these difficult times.

On April 7th, Dr. Fuller successfully removed Maia’s cyst. Tests confirmed the cyst was not cancerous.

“It’s a miracle! I can’t wait to tell my husband. Now, we can try to start a family,” Maia said through tears. After a moment of calm, she added, “I want to thank Dr. Fuller and everyone at Lestonnac for making me feel that my life matters. Without your help, people like me might not survive.”

Thanks to compassionate volunteers like Dr. Fuller and generous supporters like you, Maia can now look forward to her future with hope and renewed strength.