Liver Transplant for Rinzin Lama
Donation protected
On July 30, 2018, Rinzin Norbu Lama, age 32, from the Tsum district in Nepal, had a liver transplant to save his life. The surgery took 22 hours. Diagnosed with liver cancer, doctors said his prognosis was very good, if he could have the operation. But bureaucratic obstacles prevented this for 15 months. A Buddhist lay teacher from his community gave the gift of life by serving as the organ donor. Western friends, friends-of-friends, and strangers donated the money needed for the transplant and connected treatment. The transplant could not be done in a Nepali hospital and required Rinzin to spend seven months in Delhi, facing life-threatening medical complications far from friends and family. Rinzin continues to face the challenge of cancer and is being treated with a new medication. He meets each health challenge with extraordinary courage, mental determination and positive spirit.
With continuing costs of both post-transplant medications and new anti-cancer medications, there continues to be a need for support from afar. There is so much uncertainty in Rinzin's life. We are providing the steady support he needs to have a chance at life.
Carroll has known Rinzin since childhood and watched him grown up as a student living far from home in Kathmandu. He lived with her for part of that time and is a part of her family. Margot met Rinzin eight years ago. Both work for an environmental non-profit doing life-saving work in Nepal—Rinzin as a film maker documenting the work, Margot as a fundraiser. Like Carroll, Margot considers him family.
A beloved member of his community, Rinzin is a giver! He has built his tiny community. As a youth leader, Rinzin was president of the Tsum Society Youth Club and a Board member of Tsum Welfare Committee. He raised money for Tsum villagers who need medical care in Kathmandu (they must be air-lifted, as the town is a four day walk with no roads from Kathmandu). When the earthquake hit Nepal in 2015, he dedicated himself to helping his town rebuild. In an effort to change the corrupt political landscape in Nepal, he ran for mayor in Tsum, with the aim of bringing awareness to young people that by working together, they can bring political and economic change to their communities, traditionally ruled by elders. With a sensitive nature and a huge loving heart, Rinzin is a joker, a teaser, with a great sense of humor and fun, easy to laugh. He is also bright and ambitious, a computer expert, and a fresh new thinker. He’s always trying to figure out how something he knows can help someone else, solve a societal problem, and bring security to more vulnerable people—despite suffering from physical ailments himself.
Rinzin has spent his whole life helping others. He continues to need help himself. Please, can you open your heart and generosity to this kind, caring and beautiful human being? We are grateful beyond words.
Yours,
Carroll Dunham & Margot R. Becker
With continuing costs of both post-transplant medications and new anti-cancer medications, there continues to be a need for support from afar. There is so much uncertainty in Rinzin's life. We are providing the steady support he needs to have a chance at life.
Carroll has known Rinzin since childhood and watched him grown up as a student living far from home in Kathmandu. He lived with her for part of that time and is a part of her family. Margot met Rinzin eight years ago. Both work for an environmental non-profit doing life-saving work in Nepal—Rinzin as a film maker documenting the work, Margot as a fundraiser. Like Carroll, Margot considers him family.
A beloved member of his community, Rinzin is a giver! He has built his tiny community. As a youth leader, Rinzin was president of the Tsum Society Youth Club and a Board member of Tsum Welfare Committee. He raised money for Tsum villagers who need medical care in Kathmandu (they must be air-lifted, as the town is a four day walk with no roads from Kathmandu). When the earthquake hit Nepal in 2015, he dedicated himself to helping his town rebuild. In an effort to change the corrupt political landscape in Nepal, he ran for mayor in Tsum, with the aim of bringing awareness to young people that by working together, they can bring political and economic change to their communities, traditionally ruled by elders. With a sensitive nature and a huge loving heart, Rinzin is a joker, a teaser, with a great sense of humor and fun, easy to laugh. He is also bright and ambitious, a computer expert, and a fresh new thinker. He’s always trying to figure out how something he knows can help someone else, solve a societal problem, and bring security to more vulnerable people—despite suffering from physical ailments himself.
Rinzin has spent his whole life helping others. He continues to need help himself. Please, can you open your heart and generosity to this kind, caring and beautiful human being? We are grateful beyond words.
Yours,
Carroll Dunham & Margot R. Becker
Organizer
Margot R. Becker
Organizer
New York, NY
