UPDATE, MARCH 17, 2026:

Comrades,

Thanks to your help, Zabdielito was able to get evaluated and got the first round of treatment. The doctors informed us that he is due to undergo several more treatments, bringing the grand total to approximately $15,000 USD.

It is a big goal, but with the power of solidarity, I am not afraid, and we all keep alive the hope that Zabdiel will keep his eyesight and his world.

You can follow along with more regular updates on this TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@zabdielfuerteyvaliente/video/7614892551811632405?_r=1&_t=ZP-94WLJkG4HlP

My little cousin, Zabdiel, is a joy to be around. He is timid, but when he smiles, everyone around him cannot help but be invited to smile with him. Unfortunately at this moment, there is not much to smile at.

Zabdiel is lying in a hospital bed in Quito, Ecuador. His doctors informed his parents, Bagner Bustamante and Sandra Loza, that he is losing his eye sight in both eyes. They also found a tumor behind his left eye. Zabdiel is autistic; at times he struggles with expressing what he sees or needs.

This makes his situation an emergency. The cost of his treatments and medical proceedings amount to around $2,700 USD, a quantity that our family cannot cover alone.

Today we are not asking for charity, we are asking for your solidarity. We humbly ask for your help in ensuring Zabdielito keeps his eye sight and health, so that he doesn't lose the ability to see his parents, his family; his ability to learn, to play, to be part of the world around him.

Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference. And if you cannot donate, sharing does as well.

Thank you for your time and attention in reading about our emergency. And please, if you can, help us keep Zabdielito out the dark.

Mi primo Zabdiel es una alegría. Es tímido, pero cuando sonríe, todos a su alrededor se sienten invitados a sonreír con él. Desafortunadamente, en este momento, no hay mucho que sonreír.

Zabdiel se encuentra en una cama de hospital en Quito, Ecuador. Sus médicos informaron a sus padres, Bagner Bustamante y Sandra Loza, que está perdiendo la visión en ambos ojos. También le encontraron un tumor detrás del ojo izquierdo. Zabdiel es autista; a veces le cuesta expresar lo que ve o necesita.

Esto convierte su situación en una emergencia. El costo de sus tratamientos y procedimientos médicos asciende a aproximadamente $2,700 USD, una cantidad que nuestra familia no puede cubrir sola.

Hoy no pedimos caridad, pedimos su solidaridad. Humildemente, les pedimos su ayuda para asegurar que Zabdielito conserve la vista y la salud, para que no pierda la capacidad de ver a sus padres y a su familia. Su capacidad de aprender, jugar y ser parte del mundo que lo rodea.

Cada donación, por pequeña que sea, marca la diferencia. Y si no puedes donar, compartir también.

Gracias por tu tiempo y atención al leer sobre nuestra emergencia. Y, por favor, si puedes, ayúdanos a mantener a Zabdielito fuera de la oscuridad.