AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin couple plans to raffle off Austin City Limits Music Festival wristbands to fund an upcoming surgery to treat endometriosis.
Cole Stepro first noticed symptoms in December 2023 and started a 10-month journey with 17 doctors across the country. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition where uterine-like cells grow outside the uterus.
Her husband, Tim Iorio, said Cole’s first surgery in April led to increased pain. A series of treatments, including medical and homeopathic approaches, have not helped with her daily pain.
“Quite frankly, she’s she’s doing a good job just getting through work every day, and I am proud of her for that,” he said.
Iorio said their endometriosis research journey led them to a New York City doctor who is willing to do a hysterectomy on Stepro, which many other doctors will not perform because she has not had children, he said.
This out-of-network doctor and surgery come with a heavy price tag of $35,000, which is needed before a surgery date can be set. So far, the couple has gathered about $15,000 in donations.
Iorio said they purchased Weekend Two tickets when his wife was feeling better—hoping to see Chappell Roan in particular. With Stepro’s increased pain, going to ACL is not an option. So they decided to start a raffle to give away the tickets and raise money for the surgery.
The couple is in the process of finding a website to host the raffle. This story will be updated with raffle information when it is available.
“She’s the most important thing to me,” he said. “I’ll give anything for that to be better.”
The couple has been together for 10 years. Iorio said he has learned how important it is to advocate for yourself and your loved ones.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis affects about one in 10 women, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The condition happens when clusters of endometrial-like tissue are found outside the uterus, according to UT Health Austin.
Symptoms include pain or cramping, severe menstrual cramps, infertility, fatigue and other painful symptoms that impact the quality of life, according to UT Health Austin.
Infertility is also common for 30% to 50% of women with endometriosis, according to UT Health. Other complications include ovarian cysts, bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction and damage to other structures.