Gabriel Bruzos-Shalamberidze
Donation protected
On Friday, June 26, 2020, Gabriel Bruzos-Shalamberidze was playing in his yard with his sister and school friends when he collapsed to the ground and went into cardiac arrest. Gabriel was taken by EMS to Princeton Medical Center while being given ongoing CPR. He was subsequently intubated and helicoptered to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). While at CHOP, Gabriel spent many days in the PICU fighting for his life via the assistance of both an ECMO machine and intubated on a respirator.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, is a therapy that adds oxygen to one’s blood and pumps it through their body like the heart. The process takes place outside the body. ECMO is like a heart-lung machine used in heart surgery and can be used for longer periods of time. ECMO temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs so an individual can rest and heal. ECMO is used when usual treatments are not working. ECMO does not cure heart or lung disease, it only provides time for the patient’s heart or lungs to heal. As one can imagine, the cost matches the work this machine performs.
The skilled physicians at CHOP were able to wean and decannulate Gabriel from the ECMO machine miraculously in three days with subsequent extubation a day later. Though he has many more weeks of recovery ahead, Gabriel’s largest hurdle towards recovery has begun.
Gabriel, or Gabo, as he is affectionately known by many, is a vibrant, loving, and sensitive 8 year old boy. He has a deep love for piano, ballet, playing with his countless friends, dreaming up endless amounts of imaginary games, and his family. He lives with his adoring parents, Tamar and Alberto and his loving sister, Sophia in Princeton, NJ. They are the first to step in and help others whenever and however help is needed. If you have been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of one of Tamar’s legendary hugs, then you understand firsthand the love this family exudes. Additionally, if you have been on the receiving end of of a Tamar doorstep soup delivery, then your tummy does too! Their love knows no bounds. Alberto often takes the extra time to develop young minds at the university and help students grow as people, not just academics. They care for our children as if they are their own and are always looking to help those in need. They selflessly and effortlessly make our world a better place. It is time for us to return their love and kindness.
The physicians anticipate a lengthy process with an indefinite timetable. Gabriel and his family will be spending, at the very least, their next few weeks in the hospital, months in recovery, and a lifetime of surveillance. The equipment, medication, medical staff, and overall treatment will be a financial burden beyond the means that any normal family could reasonably afford. Additionally, Tamar and Alberto will be forced to take significant time away from their work which will put yet another strain on their already daunting financial burden.
We are reaching out to extended friends and family from around the world, asking for donations to help manage the avalanche of medical bills. No donation is too small. Every cent, word, flower, card, and post will be appreciated and felt as deeply as the Bruzos-Shalamberidze love, that we all have been so blessed to share. Let’s get their world turning again by giving in any way we can.
Also, we would be remiss if we didn’t extend our gratitude to the first responders, at the time of Gabriel’s collapse. Without rapid arrival and action of the police and EMTs, Gabriel would not be alive today. We’d also like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and entire medical staff both at Princeton Medical Center and CHOP for working as tirelessly as they have been since Gabriel became a patient under their care and supervision. Lastly, we’d like to thank you all so much for even just taking this moment to read Gabriel's story. The Bruzos-Shalamberidze family needs whatever you can give, even if it's only good vibes and prayers. Little Gabo’s life depends on it.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, is a therapy that adds oxygen to one’s blood and pumps it through their body like the heart. The process takes place outside the body. ECMO is like a heart-lung machine used in heart surgery and can be used for longer periods of time. ECMO temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs so an individual can rest and heal. ECMO is used when usual treatments are not working. ECMO does not cure heart or lung disease, it only provides time for the patient’s heart or lungs to heal. As one can imagine, the cost matches the work this machine performs.
The skilled physicians at CHOP were able to wean and decannulate Gabriel from the ECMO machine miraculously in three days with subsequent extubation a day later. Though he has many more weeks of recovery ahead, Gabriel’s largest hurdle towards recovery has begun.
Gabriel, or Gabo, as he is affectionately known by many, is a vibrant, loving, and sensitive 8 year old boy. He has a deep love for piano, ballet, playing with his countless friends, dreaming up endless amounts of imaginary games, and his family. He lives with his adoring parents, Tamar and Alberto and his loving sister, Sophia in Princeton, NJ. They are the first to step in and help others whenever and however help is needed. If you have been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of one of Tamar’s legendary hugs, then you understand firsthand the love this family exudes. Additionally, if you have been on the receiving end of of a Tamar doorstep soup delivery, then your tummy does too! Their love knows no bounds. Alberto often takes the extra time to develop young minds at the university and help students grow as people, not just academics. They care for our children as if they are their own and are always looking to help those in need. They selflessly and effortlessly make our world a better place. It is time for us to return their love and kindness.
The physicians anticipate a lengthy process with an indefinite timetable. Gabriel and his family will be spending, at the very least, their next few weeks in the hospital, months in recovery, and a lifetime of surveillance. The equipment, medication, medical staff, and overall treatment will be a financial burden beyond the means that any normal family could reasonably afford. Additionally, Tamar and Alberto will be forced to take significant time away from their work which will put yet another strain on their already daunting financial burden.
We are reaching out to extended friends and family from around the world, asking for donations to help manage the avalanche of medical bills. No donation is too small. Every cent, word, flower, card, and post will be appreciated and felt as deeply as the Bruzos-Shalamberidze love, that we all have been so blessed to share. Let’s get their world turning again by giving in any way we can.
Also, we would be remiss if we didn’t extend our gratitude to the first responders, at the time of Gabriel’s collapse. Without rapid arrival and action of the police and EMTs, Gabriel would not be alive today. We’d also like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and entire medical staff both at Princeton Medical Center and CHOP for working as tirelessly as they have been since Gabriel became a patient under their care and supervision. Lastly, we’d like to thank you all so much for even just taking this moment to read Gabriel's story. The Bruzos-Shalamberidze family needs whatever you can give, even if it's only good vibes and prayers. Little Gabo’s life depends on it.
Organizer and beneficiary
Britt and Neal Bicker
Organizer
Princeton, NJ
Alberto Bruzos Moro
Beneficiary