Donations for Shaina
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What can I say about my best friend, Shaina Rubinstein, that will encompass all that she is and all that she has been through? To begin, Shaina is a single mother of two beautiful young daughters named Poppy (6 years old) and Maya (4 years old). Shaina and her little “Papayas” live with Shaina's mother Bubbe Patti, who has a painful condition she suffers from called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and whom Shaina helps support. Shaina herself has fibromyalgia and a genetic pre-existing condition called Gaucher's disease. When Shaina was 19 she developed a large mass in her abdomen. Regrettably, her doctors initially thought she had cancer and removed her spleen and gallbladder not knowing that she had a rare genetic disorder. The spleen is the brain's direct connection to the immune system and without it Shaina has been left with a permanently weakened immune system.
Shaina has not had an easy lot in life but has always, always made the best of things. We have often joked that she would make an excellent comedian because of her ability to see the humor in her many trials and tribulations, and if she were writing this statement, I know she would find a way to help us feel less terrified about her grave circumstances.
Before COVID hit this country, Shaina worked for Celebrity Cruise Line in sales until her whole department was let go in June. Instead of filing for unemployment, she was determined to land another sales position, which she did with Norwegian Cruise Lines. And then Shaina caught COVID-19. Because of her compromised immune system, COVID hit her hard, and she was unable to work for 1 month. Fortunately, Shaina survived her first bout with COVID and had enough savings to cover her expenses and was able to find work again. Shaina continued to feel very fatigued, however, a fact that was chalked up to her Gaucher's and Fibromyalgia. Little did we know she was forming a blood clot that eventually ended up in her lungs.
On November 4th she was admitted to the hospital and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism that can be a side effect of COVID-19. Her doctors say Shaina is lucky to be alive, and we are so grateful Shaina has insurance and is able to cover her medical bills. Unfortunately, they expect to keep her in the hospital for a minimum of 1 week (most likely longer).
Due to unforeseen consequences of these illnesses, she is not able to work, at the moment, or in the near future. Shaina has not asked us for anything, but we are asking her friends and her community to help ease the financial burden by considering a donation. No amount is too small. This money will be used to assist with groceries, medical expenses, house payments, and other human necessities that will be difficult for Shaina to orchestrate. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read about our mission to help our friend we call family.
Shaina has not had an easy lot in life but has always, always made the best of things. We have often joked that she would make an excellent comedian because of her ability to see the humor in her many trials and tribulations, and if she were writing this statement, I know she would find a way to help us feel less terrified about her grave circumstances.
Before COVID hit this country, Shaina worked for Celebrity Cruise Line in sales until her whole department was let go in June. Instead of filing for unemployment, she was determined to land another sales position, which she did with Norwegian Cruise Lines. And then Shaina caught COVID-19. Because of her compromised immune system, COVID hit her hard, and she was unable to work for 1 month. Fortunately, Shaina survived her first bout with COVID and had enough savings to cover her expenses and was able to find work again. Shaina continued to feel very fatigued, however, a fact that was chalked up to her Gaucher's and Fibromyalgia. Little did we know she was forming a blood clot that eventually ended up in her lungs.
On November 4th she was admitted to the hospital and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism that can be a side effect of COVID-19. Her doctors say Shaina is lucky to be alive, and we are so grateful Shaina has insurance and is able to cover her medical bills. Unfortunately, they expect to keep her in the hospital for a minimum of 1 week (most likely longer).
Due to unforeseen consequences of these illnesses, she is not able to work, at the moment, or in the near future. Shaina has not asked us for anything, but we are asking her friends and her community to help ease the financial burden by considering a donation. No amount is too small. This money will be used to assist with groceries, medical expenses, house payments, and other human necessities that will be difficult for Shaina to orchestrate. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read about our mission to help our friend we call family.
Co-organizers (2)
Annie Apatiga
Organizer
Riverview, FL
Shaina Rubinstein
Beneficiary
Patti Rubinstein
Co-organizer