UPDATE: The surgery for "Maite's" mother has been set for March 12. The need is urgent, as the surgery and anticipated post-operative expenses need to be paid in advance.

My name is Wesley, and I am reaching out on behalf of a former classmate in Venezuela, whom I met at Universidad de los Andes in 2004. Her mother is in urgent need of surgery, and due to the economic situation there, the hospital and attending physician are requiring full payment for all services in advance. This is my friend's story, which she reluctantly shares in order to come to her mother's aid in time of need. I will personally ensure that all funds donated reach the intended person on whose behalf they are solicited.

"I live in Mérida, Venezuela, and I want to tell you a little about my reason for writing these lines:

Eva (a pseudonym), a Venezuelan citizen in her early fifties, is my mother, and she is experiencing a medical issue that is very complex and, as a result, surgical intervention (hysterectomy) is urgently needed. However, because of the present economic and social situation in my country, we do not currently have the resources at our disposal to cover the cost of this treatment with personal funds.

For this reason, we sought the assistance of public medical services, but — and this is not a secret for anyone familiar with the situation in Venezuela — public medical services in my country are in a state of total collapse, a situation which worsens by the day.

Case in point, our application for admittance to the public hospital for surgical intervention was accepted, but what we did not anticipate was that there would be conditions placed upon the rendering of this treatment. When I speak of conditions, I am referring to the fact that they informed us that my mother needed to join a wait-list of 20 people whose admittance also requires that they, like us, pay for all medical implements and services in advance, everything from anesthesia to cotton balls.

As a result of the above, I have been emboldened to solicit economic support and collaboration from all those of kind heart who would be willing to aid in covering the medical expenses of my mother's surgery and post-operative recovery.

I thank all who have taken time to read and share my story, likewise, I would like to express my gratitude to all who can contribute.

Maite (Pseudonym)"