Help Naser's Family Through This Tough Time

My name is Doris Platt. My family and I own Andina Restaurant in Portland, Oregon. I and the rest of my family are organizing this fundraiser for Naser Abu Al Rub, who served as Service Manager at our restaurant for six years. During his time at our restaurant, Naser distinguished himself by his natural spirit of hospitality and service. He encouraged the same spirit in our service staff through his own example, always ready to greet and remember guests and to make them feel special while they were with us.

In May of 2022 Naser took some time off to undergo surgery to deal with a meningioma (brain tumor). Fortunately that surgery was successful, and he returned to work.

Two years ago, Naser took another job in Portland, but we kept in touch. We became aware that he was due to have further surgeries to deal with his meningioma in late 2023. Prior to his surgeries, a friend of Naser's wife Lama organized a GoFundMe, to which I and my family contributed, that raised over $28,000 which helped cover immediate expenses and loss of income due to his condition.

Naser had two operations in December 2023. The first removed 30% of his tumor. The second operation, a week later. removed 90-95% of the tumor. However, after Naser's second operation, everyone was devastated to learn that he had suffered a stroke that had left him totally paralyzed on his right side and also partially blind and completely unable to eat or speak.

Now, over a year later, Naser continues to be paralyzed, bedridden, unable to eat or speak and entirely dependent on the care of his wife Lama. He also continues to have critical moments that have required several emergency room visits. He has two sons, Kusai and Noor, who have just recently begun college studies (OSU and PCC). Naser is only 57 years old.

The impact on Naser's family is severe. He had been the primary provider, and Lama, his wife, must continue to curtail her hours as a teacher assistant to nurse Naser at home. The likelihood of Naser being able to work again appears impossible. When I spoke recently with Lama, I was forced to imagine how I would feel being in her shoes.

Remembering the selfless way that Naser dedicated himself to our guests at Andina, I feel compelled to organize this second fundraiser to help Naser and his family make it through this wrenching change of fortune.

While the first GoFundMe effort did provide significant help for Naser's family in anticipation of his surgeries, I feel that a second fundraiser is needed to help Naser's family deal with the tragic outcome of his second surgery.

Your donations can mean that Naser's sons can complete their studies and begin to provide support, that the family won't lose their home, and that arrangements for Naser's ongoing care can be worked out.

In the name of Naser and his family my deep thanks and gratitude:

Doris Platt