Help Me Reach Duke University Hospital

My name is Gabriel, and I am 19 years old.

I have spent my entire life fighting battles that no child should ever have to face.

When I was a baby in Brazil, serious medical complications following medical errors changed the course of my life. I survived, but I was left with profound disabilities and complex medical needs.

Today, I cannot walk or speak. I am legally CVI/blind and completely dependent on my family for my daily care. My mom has been by my side throughout my entire life alone with my young sister, fighting for my health, my dignity, and every opportunity available to me.

Now, after 19 years, we have a new opportunity.

My doctors at Duke University are evaluating a potential treatment involving cord blood. My sister’s preserved cord blood is a 6/6 HLA match for me, giving our family an opportunity we never expected to have.

We don’t know what the future will look like. We cannot promise a cure or a miracle.

But we know that we have an opportunity to move forward — and we don’t want money to be the reason we have to say no.

Our family is trying to raise approximately $15,000 toward the costs associated with my treatment and the medical logistics involved in getting me to Duke, with additional expenses for travel and lodging.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you cannot donate, please share my story. A share costs nothing, but it could put my story in front of the person who can help us reach Duke.

After 19 years of fighting, I am still here.

And my family is still fighting for me.

Please help me take this next step.

Help me get to Duke. Help me have this chance. ❤️