Varwo's Achalasia Surgery Fund
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In 2016, I started experiencing symptoms of severe chest pain which later progressed to regurgitation of food and liquids, difficulty in swallowing, and severe weight loss. I visited local hospitals in my country, Liberia, but could not get a definite diagnosis. Overtime, my condition continued to worsen, making it difficult for me to cater to my family especially my two daughters and son.
As a result of financial difficulties, and the scarcity of quality health care equipments, I was unable to have a medical check-up done to identify exactly what was wrong with me. Over the course of a year, I was able to solicit support to just purchase my ticket to travel to the USA where I was diagnosed with Achalasia at the Hennepin County Medical Center, MN. The doctor put me on a liquid diet and strongly suggested that I see a primary health care doctor. I followed the doctor's recommendations and met with a primary health care doctor and have had subsequent visits at the gastrointestinal (GI) clinic, completed all laboratory tests (X-ray, endoscopy, or esophageal manometry) confirming that I had Achalasia.
The GI specialist has recommended that I have a surgery (Heller Myotomy) urgently.
Achalasia is a condition that results from damage to nerves in the food tube (esophagus), preventing the esophagus from squeezing food into the stomach. It may be caused by an abnormal immune system response.
Symptoms include a backflow of food in the throat (regurgitation), chest pain, and weight loss.
I have been on a liquid diet for five months now (March –July 2017) and I have lost weight significantly. I am getting malnourished daily and my chances of getting anemic grows greater everyday.
The cost of the surgery and post-surgery care estimated by Hennepin County Medical Center is $60,000. The surgeons are prepared do the surgery as soon as I am able to raise the needed $60,000.
Getting this surgery done will save my life, and I will be able to return to my home country Liberia and to my family, especially to my two young daughters and my son. I will be able to get my life back and continue working as a professional nurse, something I enjoy doing.
Please help save my life and give hope and future to my three children. Every donation counts, no matter how small.Thank you and may God bless you.
To validate my story and know the legitimacy of it, please contact the following organizations who are working to support this fundraising effort.
- New Horizons Resource at 763-710-9942
-Minnesota Acts Now at [phone redacted]
-Kofa Foundation at [phone redacted]
-Redeemed Life Church - Minnesota at [phone redacted]
As a result of financial difficulties, and the scarcity of quality health care equipments, I was unable to have a medical check-up done to identify exactly what was wrong with me. Over the course of a year, I was able to solicit support to just purchase my ticket to travel to the USA where I was diagnosed with Achalasia at the Hennepin County Medical Center, MN. The doctor put me on a liquid diet and strongly suggested that I see a primary health care doctor. I followed the doctor's recommendations and met with a primary health care doctor and have had subsequent visits at the gastrointestinal (GI) clinic, completed all laboratory tests (X-ray, endoscopy, or esophageal manometry) confirming that I had Achalasia.
The GI specialist has recommended that I have a surgery (Heller Myotomy) urgently.
Achalasia is a condition that results from damage to nerves in the food tube (esophagus), preventing the esophagus from squeezing food into the stomach. It may be caused by an abnormal immune system response.
Symptoms include a backflow of food in the throat (regurgitation), chest pain, and weight loss.
I have been on a liquid diet for five months now (March –July 2017) and I have lost weight significantly. I am getting malnourished daily and my chances of getting anemic grows greater everyday.
The cost of the surgery and post-surgery care estimated by Hennepin County Medical Center is $60,000. The surgeons are prepared do the surgery as soon as I am able to raise the needed $60,000.
Getting this surgery done will save my life, and I will be able to return to my home country Liberia and to my family, especially to my two young daughters and my son. I will be able to get my life back and continue working as a professional nurse, something I enjoy doing.
Please help save my life and give hope and future to my three children. Every donation counts, no matter how small.Thank you and may God bless you.
To validate my story and know the legitimacy of it, please contact the following organizations who are working to support this fundraising effort.
- New Horizons Resource at 763-710-9942
-Minnesota Acts Now at [phone redacted]
-Kofa Foundation at [phone redacted]
-Redeemed Life Church - Minnesota at [phone redacted]
Organizer and beneficiary
Varwo Gbassie
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
Decontee Kofa
Beneficiary
