Support and uplift the Freire's family

Dear Friends and Family,

On January 9th, 2023, my dear friend Wellington from my Brazilian community in Los Angeles underwent surgery to remove his pineal gland due to a malignant pineal parenchymal tumor. Fortunately, the surgery was successful, but Wellington is now facing a long road to recovery and the unique challenges that pineal gland removal entails. Wellington is married to Vanessa, another dear friend of mine and they have a beautiful two-year-old daughter named Angeline. They live in Sacramento, CA where he had previously been working as a freelancer for the government as a pos doc researcher in neuroscience and specifically focusing on genetics and autism.

Talking to Vanessa this week I learned details of what the family is going through. Alongside Wellington’s lengthy recovery, they’re facing financial difficulties as Wellington is currently unable to work and provide for his family. Wellington can’t be left alone as his short-term memory has been hampered by the effects of the pineal gland removal and he can’t remember actions that he undertook or communications even within a few minutes. The intensive rehab involves physical therapy for coordination and balance as well as speech therapy. Vanessa must provide care for both her husband and their 2-year-old and is also unable to work as a result. Both of their extended families are in Brazil and do not have the financial means to support them here. Going back to Brazil is not an option as he will likely need continued radiation therapy, his doctors are in California, and the specific proton irradiation machinery that is best for the radiation that he requires are located in either San Diego or Yorba Linda.

I come here to ask for your support to help my friends get by through this difficult time. Wellington has faith that he will recover in 6 months, and will be able to get back to work at that time. He is extremely passionate about what he does, and in his young career he has already made several contributions to science, including being cited for his recent discoveries relating to covid inflammations. He has published several articles and his name is cited in several scientific contributions. Because Wellington works as a freelancer, he is not eligible to get workers disability or other benefits that could lessen their financial stress. My goal in setting up this GoFundMe is to help Wellington and Vanessa pay for some of their expenses including food and rent for the next 6 months until Wellington is recovered and able to get back to work. I have therefore set the minimum goal at $20,000

Thank you for considering the support of my dear friends. God bless you all.