Lakew Brain Tumor Fundraising

My name is Messeret Sertse

I am a teacher and a mom.  I live in Las Vegas, Nevada now, but I have lived in the United States for a long time.  I am originally from Ethiopia.

My Uncle Lakew, who lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has been in my life since I was a child. He has shown me love and care through all kinds of life’s hardships.  We are close in age, so he is more like my brother than my uncle.  We are connected, and have always been connected.  When he feels pain, so do I, even across oceans and miles.

Last week, I was told he has a  brain tumor and that he is not well. He is experiencing a lot of weakness and seizures, and he is in a great deal of pain.  I was unprepared for how this would crush me.  The cost of health care is very high and unlike the United States there is no insurance.  But I do not have the money.  I work in a small private school.  I make enough money to support my daughter and myself.   I do not want to ever ask for anything.  I don’t even know if I deserve it, but in this situation, I must humble myself and ask for help. 

There have been times when I have needed financial support and he has always been there for me.  I also want to be there for him in his time of need.

If you can, would you please help by donating money so I can immediately send it to him for his medical expenses and maybe for me to travel to see him for the last time?  I pray for God to give me the chance to help him, to see him, to hold his hands, and to tell him how deeply I love him and how he has impacted my daughter’s and my life. 

If you can help, no matter how little, know that I will keep you in my heart, and that I am so grateful.

Thank you.