Please Help My Neighbor Save Her Loving Father

Hi, my name is Vatana and I'm fundraising for my neighbor and friend—Tiffany Olivares Girardi.

 

Over the years, Tiffany has been such a good human to me. Whether it were helping me through a major surgery, bringing me broth during sickness, or simply being a listening ear while she walked her dog Thor--she has been here. 

 

Now Tiffany needs my/our help <3

 

In February of this year, her father went to the hospital in the Philippines for what they thought would be a simple toe amputation (the result of a diabetic infection). But, the scheduled procedure resulted in finding out that he had severe aortic stenosis. Doctors found that his heart function had decreased to 18-20% and that he was in need of a heart stint before they could perform surgery.

 

With the lack of blood flow from his body and to his legs, the doctors had to refrain from amputating the toe out of fear that it would not heal properly. To try and resolve this, they tried to stent his heart but were unsuccessful. Tiffany and her husband used their entire savings of $30k USD that they saved in hopes of starting a family via surrogate and donor egg (she is unable to conceive due to health issues)--only to be back at square one. We are trying to buy time and to get Tiffany's Dad back to the US so that he can receive proper care. In the Philippines, he only has public insurance which covers none of the physician and medical fees. So, they had no choice but to send the cash they had saved up in their attempt to give her Dad a stronger heart.

 

The doctors here in the US feel confident that they can help him regain strength before he undergoes any surgery, but they would need him here to monitor his current condition and take on best next steps. Tiffany is out of funds, and quickly running out of time--but we are holding on to hope that we can at least raise his is fees and get him to the in US. The the ICD that is necessary and here in the US is not affordable in the Philippines (the cost is $60k USD). Tiffany will use this fund to ensure that he stays strong enough while in the Philippines to get an ICD/pacemaker, and to prevent any additional syncope episodes from turning into cardiac arrest. At present, his legs and feet are causing him a great deal of pain due to the build up of fluid, a common result of heart failure and low blood flow. Tiffany's Dad hasn't been able to walk even with the support of his walker.

 

With your help there is a 70% chance that he will pull through this.

 

Loved ones and strangers alike have shown up for me in dire times and I'm hoping to help Tiffany experience the value of communal support and the goodness still left in this world. Often times, it can be insanely hard or even embarrassing to ask for, or receive--help! Her father is so kind, always smiling whenever he visits. He often would use the money he had to take unhoused, local children in the Philippines out to McDonalds so that they could have a warm meal. Tiffany's father has done his best to help his children have a better life than he did and I'm hoping Tiffany will be able to show her gratitude in doing the same for him.

 

Thank you for reading and sharing.