Funds for Philbert

A few short weeks ago, the daily rhythm of life for my friend Philbert came to a halt. As a fellow Jamaican who is here through the H2B visa program, we’ve known one another for almost 20 years.

 

With kidney failure running in his family, he knew that one day the disease would likely catch up with him. What he didn’t realize was that it would be this year, at the beginning of the summer season in Bar Harbor, that provides work to support him, his children, foster children, and extended family.

 

Philbert has worked in Bar Harbor for 18 seasons. His joy and smile are infectious.

 

He spent two weeks in the hospital while they ran tests and tried medications, and he underwent dialysis sessions before being healthy enough to be discharged. He’s received exceptional support from Witham Family Hotels throughout his hospitalization, diagnosis, and development of a treatment plan.

 

However, he has a long road with an uncertain future. As his friends, I, along with Laura Bridges and Jermel McWhorter, have started this GoFundMe campaign to give Philbert time. Time to heal and figure out what comes next.

 

Philbert will need dialysis treatments three times a week for the rest of his life, and with no possibility of insurance here in the U.S. through the H2B visa program, treatment is costly. Funds raised here will give him time to plan for his future care and the financial support of his family. It is not the final answer, but he is responding well to the dialysis treatments, his energy has returned, and his strength will continue to improve. Supporting him now will give us all time to work on a solution for the future.

 

Donations can be made through this GoFundMe page, directly to the account set up at Machias Savings Bank in Bar Harbor, or through cash donations directly to Laura Bridges.