Medical needs for Sergio Santoro (Syamasundara)

Greetings!

My name is Gaurangi Priya and it is my privilege to be starting this fundraiser in service to Sergio Santoro (a.k.a. Syamasundara dasa) a very special godbrother, spiritual practitioner, and friend.

Last year Sergio started experiencing different health difficulties. His digestion and appetite decreased, he experienced abdominal pain, he lost a significant amount of weight and started having insomnia due to the pain. He attributed these symptoms to thyroid and digestive issues and started an elimination diet to rule out allergies or irritants.

Even while enduring these health setbacks he continued his daily service of worshipping and dressing Dauji-Gopal, the presiding deities of Madhuvan, the ashram in Costa Rica where Sergio lives, as well as cooking lunch for the residents. His cooking responsibilities increased in the middle of December when over a dozen more visitors arrived for the annual Madhuvan festival with Swami Tripurari. Sergio continued to cook amazing meals, even while continuing to experience pain, low energy, and insomnia.

Finally, in the beginning of January, his symptoms warranted a visit to a doctor who was alarmed by the findings of an enlarged liver and severe weight loss. Sergio was sent to the hospital for initial liver tests to rule out hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and gallbladder issues. After numerous tests as well as a CAT scan, the final diagnosis was given, pancreatic cancer with metastasis to the liver.

This was not the diagnosis he or his friends and family had expected or wanted to hear. But we have rallied around Sergio to support him.

Sergio has dedicated the past 28 years of his life to serving his Guru and the Deities, 15 of which at Madhuvan, Costa Rica. This situation has put him and his husband, Ian (a.k.a. Gaurasundara), in significant financial stress.

This fundraiser is an attempt to surround them with support and love as well as the practical help of needed items for Sergio’s care. Supplements, nursing care, equipment, ensuring the functioning of their 4x4 truck, as well as financially assisting the cost of airfare for friends who have volunteered to fly to Costa Rica to offer their service on the ground. These are some of the urgent financial needs which your donations will support.

Every donation is an offering of love and not only allows Sergio and Ian to focus on Sergio’s health needs, but buoys them with community, support, and affection. Your donation means so much and is appreciated immensely.

I will make an effort to post updates. Sergio is currently admitted to the hospital in Nicoya where he is receiving care and awaiting a treatment plan. His goal is to use everything at his disposal to assist him in healing.