Hi, I’m Nathan, and I’m starting this fundraiser for my friend Zahra Merchant, whose life has been devastated by chronic illness.

Before the pandemic, Zahra was thriving as a pastry chef in Canada. When COVID hit, she lost her job — but she didn’t give up. She enrolled in a government programme to become a Health Care Assistant, hoping to work her way up to Nursing.

But during her practical training at Richmond Care Home, she caught COVID — and never fully recovered.

That one infection turned into Long COVID, and since then, her health has continued to unravel. She now lives with:

• Fibromyalgia

• Endometriosis

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

• PCOS

• Gastritis

• Wrist tendonitis

• And is currently being tested for Arthritis

She experiences constant body pain, fatigue, gut problems, and brain fog — and her dream of becoming a nurse has been put on hold indefinitely. She can no longer work.

As if that wasn’t enough, her father suffered two heart attacks. He is now paralysed on his left side and has borderline dementia.

Zahra’s mother has become the full-time caregiver for both her husband and her daughter — emotionally and physically drained, trying to hold the household together.

To make things worse, Zahra doesn’t qualify for Canadian government support and has no access to income assistance or disability services.

They urgently need help. Your support will go toward:

• Medical treatment, diagnostics, and medications

• Mobility aids and care for her father

• Chronic pain management and physiotherapy for Zahra

• Basic living expenses while the family is without income

Zahra is a fighter. She still dreams of healing and giving back. But right now, she and her family need help just to make it through the day.

Please help us by donating or sharing this story with your friends who can help. Every little bit helps lighten the load.

With hope and gratitude,

Nathan.