Hi, my name is Nina, Ina's mother.

I am asking for your help to bring smiles and normalcy back into my daughter's life!

Ina Emilova is 19 years old, a student at St. She is 19 years old and a graduate of the University of St. Kliment Ohridski.

At the end of last year during dental treatment we were referred to a maxillofacial surgeon. An incisional biopsy was performed, which revealed a rare tumor lesion - ODONTOGENIC MIXOFIBROMA.

The tumor lesion was located in the maxilla on the right, involving the body of the mandible, the left maxillary ridge, part of the hard palate, extending to the nasal cavity and sinus.

Fortunately, the tumor is benign and does not need radiotherapy, but it has actually fused the facial bone on the right. The only option is surgical removal of the tumour, which means cutting out a large part of the upper jaw along with the teeth, from the middle of the upper jaw almost to the end of it, up past the nasal cavity and sinus, almost to the eye, i.e. opening up a huge hole connecting the lip, nasal cavities and sinus.

Unfortunately there are not many options for optimal reconstruction of the defect. We were initially referred to microvascular tissue transfer surgery (taking bone from the leg and placing it), which is not done in Bulgaria. Many people recommended treatment in Turkey and we went there. We made inquiries to several hospitals and settled on American Hospital. We were given three options for reconstruction. After on-site examinations, the plastic surgeon there turned us down from tissue reconstruction because in our case it would be very gross and visible externally, and there would not be a full recovery in reality, i.e. Ina would forever be left with an eating, speech and facial defect. In the end it turned out that we had no choice and the best option was to make a 3D plastic model on the CT scan and fabricate a permanent prosthesis, where hopefully it would be so identical that it would cover as much as possible. Unfortunately this prosthesis cannot be permanently attached with titanium implants as as I mentioned there is no bone to place them on.

We have received an offer of 19,000 euros for the operation and the temporary prosthesis, which we need to raise urgently because the tumour is growing quite quickly and we need to pay the amount before the operation. After 4-6 months, a follow-up treatment will be done in the dental department, and the price will be specified, depending on the state of recovery.

The amount is not large, but we cannot raise it all without help.

Ina is a wonderful child. Despite everything that happened to her she completed the first semester successfully.

She wanted to become an English and geography teacher, but now she is considering changing her major because she is asking herself, "What kind of English teacher would I be with a speech impediment?"

She is so young and has so much ahead of her: to finish university, to pursue a career, to start a family... I want my child to have a chance at a healthy and normal life.

I appeal to all people with good hearts to help a wonderful girl who is at the beginning of her life path!

Thank you in advance to every donor and from my heart and soul I wish you and your families good health!