American with rare condition raises over $12,000 online for penis enlargement surgery

Michael Phillips, a resident of Blacksburg, North Carolina (USA), who suffers from a rare condition known as micropenis, launched an online fundraiser for surgery — and ended up raising twice the amount he was aiming for.

According to Phillips, the condition causes him serious daily difficulties: he struggles with urination and has to wear adult diapers, which undermines his confidence and independence, especially when traveling. On top of that, the condition makes a fulfilling intimate life nearly impossible. "In high school, I kept thinking it was just delayed puberty and that things would eventually sort themselves out. But that never happened," Phillips admitted.

He launched the campaign hoping to raise at least six thousand dollars (roughly 127,000 crowns) to cover the surgery. But the result far exceeded his expectations: more than 270 people donated, bringing in double the original goal. "I never thought people could care so much to help. I'm truly grateful and amazed," he said.

Once media outlets picked up his story, some skeptics questioned whether it was genuine. Ahead of an interview with a British TV channel earlier this year, Phillips had to provide producers with proof that he wasn't making the story up.

In an updated statement on his fundraising page, Phillips assured donors that any surplus funds would go toward covering "final, precise medical costs," as well as compensating for lost income during his recovery from the surgery.

Meanwhile, well-known Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Robert Dorfman offered Phillips an alternative procedure — a cosmetic filler injection. The procedure typically costs around $20,000 (roughly 423,500 crowns), but the doctor offered to perform it for Phillips free of charge. "No surgery is required. Every patient first goes through a consultation to make sure the procedure is right for them," Dorfman said. According to him, the clinic helps people feel more confident through a safe, individualized approach.

Still, it appears the patient won't be taking him up on the offer. "I've already scheduled surgery at a clinic closer to home," he said.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz