My name is Teddie. My husband and I met in high school, where we were best friends long before we were anything else. We started dating after graduation, and we've now known each other for fifteen years. At 18, I was diagnosed with endometriosis — a chronic, often severely painful condition that damages the reproductive organs and can make carrying a child difficult or impossible. Several other diagnoses followed, including an autoimmune disorder, and I've been in treatment ever since. Over the years, I've had eight laparoscopies, three cystectomies, and a partial hysterectomy that removed everything except my ovaries for the endo, and countless other surgeries and treatments for the other conditions. We tried treatment after treatment to slow the endometriosis down, but it was persistent, and it eventually began threatening the viability of my ovaries. Cysts and endo are still a problem, and the next step is likely removing my ovaries entirely — both for my health and for relief from constant pain. That means our window is closing. We are pursuing IVF cryopreservation now, to save some eggs for a future when we're in a position to build the family we've always dreamed of. We often struggle to make ends meet, and this is truly our last opportunity to keep that door open. Anything you can give — or even just sharing our story — means more to us than we can say. Thank you.