Please read this before you close the journal. This is a very serious matter about saving my friend's life.

EDIT: This is very serious. A person, who I will not name, recently attacked my friend's computer with viruses and pop-ups, as well as an e-mail phishing for PayPal account information. We've avoided this, and I immediately transfered all funds from my Paypal, just in case.

I'm telling you, because I don't want anyone who's donated to fall victim to anything like this, and I ask that NO ONE give out specific information about donating. Everyone needs to go through me specifically for Paypal information.

I just can't believe someone is trying to steal all this money going to save my friend's life. It's unimaginable, and completely sickens me.

I've also removed information about how much has been raised, to help protect me and her. But please know it's coming along amazingly.

A very dear friend of mine has gallstones, and she's been dealing with excruciating pain for 3 years now.

She's an amazing girl, and the nicest person you'll ever meet. She cares about everyone and does whatever she can to help people. She's also an extremely talented artist, and has an account here on dA.

She lives in Missouri, and has no medical insurance, and can't get Medicaid or any help, and she literally has no money. Her only option is to have her gallbladder removed, nothing else will work at this point, but no one will touch her.

If it isn't removed, she has an extremely high risk of dying from pancreatitis or liver failure. Eventually, something will go seriously wrong, it's just a matter of time. The procedure to have it done is only around $3,000, it's called a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. You can find out how serious from `astarsia in her comment here and learn a bit more about it from *saurgristiel in her comment here.

What I'm asking of you guys, is if you know any way to help at all, please contact me immediately. This is very, very serious.

I also ask, if anyone has money to spare and would like to donate, please contact me. Even if a dozen people send $5, it's a start. $5 for most people is next to nothing, and if it can help save a life, what better way to spend it? We're looking for any amount here, just something to help.

If you would like more information, contact me, and I can set you up with my PayPal or give you more information about my friend. If you're serious about sending money, I'll even give you her dA account, and MSN or e-mail so you can talk to her yourself. You can note me or e-mail me at ReidSouthen@gmail.com

Please, if you can, link to this journal, and tell people you know. This girl means a lot to me, and a lot of other people.

If you took the time to read this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and my friend does too.

Edit: You guys are amazing. As of this updated posting, we've had over 80 incredible people donate. That's amazing you guys, we're really coming along! I'll keep updating when I can.

This is going better than I ever could've expected, and I really think if things continue this well, we'll be able to get her the help she needs very, very soon. Again, thank you everyone, especially the staff members who have contributed, and the people who have posted journals to help, which must be somewhere about 50 now, at least.