Supporting our Courageous Codi

Hi, my name is Jay, and I am based here in Auckland with my fiance Kaye, and we are humbly knocking at the doors of your hearts for help.

My nephew Codi (Corbin Dion M. Henson), 7 years of age, 2nd child to my brother Daryl and sister Cyril from Pampanga, Philippines, has been admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for heart, lungs and gut infections which still now is vaguely diagnosed to what might have caused it.

It all started with a persistently high fever on the 28th of October, and generalised body weakness. Eventually, it was succeeded by non-specific worsening abdominal pain and vomiting then appearance of rashes on his both feet.

While unfortunately, healthcare is not free in the Philippines, my brother Daryl, Codi's Dad, does not have enough healthcare coverage for his family. Codi's Mum -Cyril is a dentist, but due to Covid-19, it has also affected her profession and more so, income depends on number of patients.

Moreover, numerous tests were done and still needs to be done to come up with a diagnosis but some of the ongoing issues have been very serious such us myocarditis (inflammation of the middle layer of the heart wall) that caused pleural effusion (fluid accumulation around the lungs due to poor pumping by the heart and inflammation). They also found swollen lymph nodes on Codi's gut and other internal organs. Codi started to swell up leading to worsening of his breathing and deranging widely his blood tests values.

As per the latest update, doctors are suspecting Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a very rare condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. Children with MIS-C may have a fever and various symptoms, including abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or feeling extra tired. CDC is still investigating and researching more about this hence, it is not yet know what causes MIS-C. However, many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19. There has not been any MIS-C cases here in NZ to date.

On top of the numerous expensive tests done and yet to be done, Codi needs treatments such as procedures, blood transfusions and medications which costs thousands of dollars, on top of the doctors fee and hospitalisation fee. Their household also possibly needs screening and testing too.

Everything needed by Codi in his hospitalisation in the Philippines needs financial source and as healthcare is not free in the Philippines, our resources have already been draining and depleting. Therefore, in this light, our family is humbly asking from your good hearts to help Codi to be better again. He is so excited to go back home and missing so much his sister Celdi and younger brother Dylan, and can't wait to resume his online schooling soonest! He also can't wait to eat his favourite korean bbq!

I was reminded by God in my quiet time this week about the testing of our faith and how He looks after us that God allows even sufferings, trials and storms for our faith to grow deeper and bigger. And that He allows these storms not to make life storm-free but to make us storm-proof. (James 1: 2-4)

So thank you so much in advance as your help in kind and in prayers are amazing reminders that we are never alone.

God bless you all and we'll see Codi back on his feet again!

Also, you can send it to the following bank accounts with "CODI" as reference if you are having trouble with the payment options.

ASB (NZ)

Name: K Gonda and G Henson

Acct No: 12-3125-0260715-50

METROBANK (Philippines)

Name: Daryl A Henson

Acct No: 377-3-377-80116-5

BDO (Philippines)

Name: Cyril M Henson

Acct No: 001460072276

Thank you heaps and God bless!!!