Help Basti Fight and Recover from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

We are raising funds for our 19-year-old nephew, Sebastian “Basti” Villanueva, a freshman who just started at De La Salle University Manila for Mechanical Engineering. Basti has been a proud school athlete since grade school, representing his teams in soccer, and is a big fan of manga comic books. He is a kind and compassiante soul who brings joy and comfort, not only to his family and younger sister, but also to anyone who comes his way.

On April 12th, Basti woke up with flu-like symptoms, blisters on his lips, and difficulty opening his eyes. He was initially diagnosed with chickenpox at a local hospital and sent home with medication. However, his condition worsened rapidly. By April 16th, his body was covered in blisters as if he had been caught in a fire. Doctors then diagnosed him with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome-TEN (Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis), a rare, life-threatening reaction to medication.

He was transferred to the University of Santo Tomas Hospital in Manila for urgent intensive care. Basti has since endured painful treatments, including skin debridement, feeding tubes, and respiratory support. He still struggles with extreme pain when eating, speaking, and even urinating.

Despite everything, Basti’s spirit shines through. At one point, he mustered the strength to write on a piece of paper:

• “When can I go home and drink milk?”

• “When will I get better?”

• “I want to be a better person for my family when I get well.”

Basti’s recovery journey will be long and costly. One of his vital medications (IVIG) alone costs nearly $1,000 per vial. His family has already spent much of their savings and urgently needs support to continue his treatment and rehabilitation.

We truly appreciate any aid towards helping Basti recover so that he may return back home, and continue pursuing his dreams. Every donation, no matter the amount, is highly cherished as it is helps bring our nephew one step closer to getting better. Thank you for simply reading through. We are grateful for your prayers, support, and for helping raise awareness about this rare condition.