I am Hedaya, my family and I live in Palestine, and this is my story. At age 2, my family’s house caught on fire. My mother and sister got minor burns, but I got fourth degree burns because I was in the fire for 2 hours before I was rescued. 

The doctors never believed that I would survive or live for along time or have a normal life. At age 8, I was able to open my eyes for the first time. I lost 80% of my skin, and I now have cancer; blood cancer, skin cancer, and blood clotting. I never grew any hair because of the chemotherapy I am undergoing. 

I also had an ear transplant but it failed, and many more hardships. 

I don’t like to talk about my childhood, as most of my childhood and youth was spent in the hospital. There was a time when all the kids were playing in the playground with friends, having a healthy life with a happy family yet I was in the hospital even getting assisted with the bathroom.

I live in Palestine and my government doesn’t have the means to support my situation at all, my family’s financial situation is not good either. My family spends all of what they have to meet all of my needs but they can’t afford to. I need more surgery and medicine. Nobody will hire me because of my health situation and my constant need to be seen by health professionals. 

One of my main problems is bullying, as many people bully me, and make fun of me. One day, my mother and I stopped a taxi, and the driver kicked us out because of my face. Another time, an old lady saw me in hospital and told me to wear a face mask because she was scared of my look. 

Needless to say Hedaya has a long, extremely tough road ahead to recovery. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time. 

Let’s change Hedaya’s life by supporting her treatment. 

Please support her on a monthly basis with as little as $5.00 or $10.00 or more. If we can get more donors, she will be able to continue her treatment