Medical Bills for Gem’s Viral Encephalitis
Fundraising campaign by
Yvan Marco Tolentino
-
₱44,549raised of ₱500,000.00 goal goal
Campaign Story
Hi everyone,
My name is Yvan Marco Tolentino and I am appealing to all of your kind hearts to help provide funding for the ongoing treatment and medical bills of a very very dear friend of mine, Gemmalyn T. Mabacyao, who was recently diagnosed and is fighting through a very life threatening condition, called Viral Encephalitis (an acute viral infection of the brain).
Gem is a 28 year old young lady who has very recently contracted a currently unidentified viral infection which is attacking her brain. For those who are unfamiliar with this condition, it is a very very serious and life threatening illness wherein the brain is infected by a virus causing increasingly intense symptoms such as brain swelling, constant headaches, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, behavioural changes, and in very serious cases, affects motor skills, memory, brain function and may even lead to permanent brain damage, coma or even death (if not properly treated). Unfortunately much like most other viral illnesses, there is no real "one stop cure" for this. Her only chance to beat this is to receive utmost care, hospitalization and constant (very very expensive- worth around PHP 20,000 per day) supportive medication to prevent any adverse affects to the brain while her body learns to fight of the virus.
For those that don't know her, Gem is a very hard-working, talented, loving, caring individual whom I have grown to care for and have had the pleasure of knowing and being friends with for the longest time. Those that know her will tell you of a kind-hearted, selfless soul who is always willing and ready to put the needs of others well above her own. She is always kind and caring even when no-one is watching. She will always do what is right even if it means sacrificing her needs and happiness. She is the type of person who will never fail to make you laugh or smile even when you are down. She loves her family and friends more than I ever thought possible and in all the time that I have known her, she has never failed to remind me and everyone around her of how wonderful a person she is, both inside and out
To be absolutely honest, I have never ever tried this sort of thing before (crowdfunding). I have always been the type of person to work hard and earn my way towards my goals and needs.This is why I am now frankly very awkward and very very embarrassed about having to ask for help. Unfortunately I have reached a point of desperation. I no longer have any of the right answers. I can no longer afford to help in her treatment. I don't know what to do anymore.. All I know for sure is that if the tables were turned, she would never give up on me let alone anyone whom she cares for. And because of that, I will never give up on her. I can no longer bear to see her suffer the way she is suffering now and I definitely know that I cannot lose her. Not now.. Please help me to raise funds for her. please.
Organizer
- Yvan Marco Tolentino
Donors
- Guest
- Donated on Aug 31, 2015
- Joseph Roberts
- Donated on Aug 28, 2015
Stay strong guys. Thoughts are with you.
- TJ Joson
- Donated on Aug 27, 2015
Praying for her healing and that more people will support this campaign. :)
Update #18
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 04:08 pmDay 42. Road to Recovery. 5 days into her rehabilitation and still unfortunately very little progress in terms of movement or response along her left side. In all fairness however, there were a few days during which her physical therapy was withheld due to fever. Her doctors and therapists recommended. . . . .
Update #17
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 04:43 pmDay 38. First day of therapy. Sorry for the late update, I just came home from visiting the hospital.Today was her first session of physical therapy. The session consisted of some form of electrical current used to stimulate certain muscles along her left side, which was then followed by a. . . . .
Update #16
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 09:59 amDay 34. Therapy. Hi everyone. It's been a while since my last update. To recap, it's been 6 days since she had her VP shunting surgery. Since then, her progress and overall improvement has been good. She is awake when she should be, she is interacting with people around her,. . . . .
Update #15
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 05:32 pmDay 27. VP shunting surgery? Check!Sorry guys. I have just been so busy the past few days. I've been spending time prepping and sorting out all needs and requirements prior to our event this coming Friday. So far we are pretty much good to go with that. Anyway, to make. . . . .
Update #14
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 08:43 amDay 24. Nearing surgerySorry I haven't been able to post an update over the past 2 days. I have been spending my time preparing arrangements and planning for her benefit gig which will be held this coming Friday.Anyway, I just came from the hospital earlier today to talk with her. . . . .
Update #13
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 02:20 amDay 22Sorry I wasn't able to post this update last night, I got home pretty late. I had to wait for her attending physician to do his rounds last night so I could talk to him regarding the next action items in her treatment path.Unfortunately, after a mix up in. . . . .
Update #12
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 04:48 pmDay 21. Three weeks..Been in the hospital a total of three weeks as of today.Just one last test result waiting before surgery. Hopefully we can get that by tomorrow.I'm really not sure what to make of her condition. I was talking with her earlier today and there were a few. . . . .
Update #12
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 03:03 pmDay 20. Nearing the 3 week mark.Had her x-ray done earlier today, the results should be out some time tomorrow. She also has fasting tonight for 8 hours ahead of her CT scan which is also scheduled for tomorrow morning. All in all, blood tests and imaging results should be. . . . .
Update #11
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 02:49 pmDay 19.No significant updates for today.We are still waiting for results of the two(2) blood tests her neurosurgeon ordered along with the schedule of another CT scan also ordered by her doctors (latest image will be needed before any surgery takes place). Her parents gave consent for the CT scan. . . . .
Update #10
Update posted by Yvan Marco Tolentino at 06:13 pmDay 18.So far still waiting for the go-signal to proceed with surgery.After just coming back from the hospital the main thing I noticed was that her lethargy seemed to be getting worse. She is progressively spending more and more time asleep than she is awake, and even when she is. . . . .
Donors & Comments
- Guest
- Donated on Aug 31, 2015
- Joseph Roberts
- Donated on Aug 28, 2015
Stay strong guys. Thoughts are with you.
- TJ Joson
- Donated on Aug 27, 2015
Praying for her healing and that more people will support this campaign. :)
- Maysh
- Donated on Aug 26, 2015
- charm i.
- Donated on Aug 26, 2015
Lord, heal her...
- Yvan Marco Tolentino
- Posted On Aug 25, 2015
Hi Howie Cruz. Sorry I’ve been so busy lately. Ayun. Our friend is confined at World Citi Medical Center. This is located corner Anonas St. and Aurora Blvd. Her mother, Gemma Mabacyao (same name, I know) is there most of the time caring for our patient and attendnig to her daily needs. Her father is often out during the day also raising funds for her treatment. He can usually be found there during evenings. For those who are interested in visiting or offering direct help. By all means. This would be very much appreciated. You will find her located in room 1017. Thank you again for all of your support. You guys are a blessing! Thank you!
- howie cruz
- Posted On Aug 24, 2015
bakit wala pong info ang maysakit... address po nya at kung saang hospital siya naka confine? mas okay po sana kung meron para po sa mga personal at ahensya na gustong tumulong...
- Yvette Yu
- Donated on Aug 24, 2015
- Jean Gemparo
- Donated on Aug 23, 2015
- Roann Arupo
- Donated on Aug 23, 2015