Help Carmen Walk Again!

My friend Carmen needs your help!!!  A few months ago she developed pain and numbness in her hands, which eventually progressed to weakness in both her arms and legs so that now she cannot lift her arms or even stand.  As a very poor family in rural El Salvador there were few options for her care, and only after months of misdiagnosis and mistreatment in local clinics she was eventually found to have a tumor growing on her spinal cord.  If she does not have this tumor removed urgently she will end up permanently paralyzed and potentially on a ventilator or dead.  The surgery is estimated to cost around $8000 and then she will need prolonged therapy in order to recover some function.  A similar surgery in the US would likely cost more than $100,000!  

During my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador Carmen and her family showed me incredible kindness, love and generosity.  They always shared what little they had and made sure that I was safe, well fed and loved.  Carmen always amazed me with her tireless work ethic, humor and strength and it is devastating to see her now so disabled.  The only income for this family of 6 is what Carmen's husband makes as a tailor and what little she was making selling goods in the market before she deteriorated.  In El Salvador there is no health insurance, Medicaid or safety net for the poorest, most vulnerable citizens.  There is no way they can afford this surgery without substantial finacial assistance.