Let's help Bruce!

**UPDATE FROM BRUCE SUMMER 2025!

Looking for USD800 to cover medical costs.

Hi all, I got the following update from Bruce who is still going through a tough time. Please donate if you can!

Max.

"On Sunday 30 March, 2025, I felt a new pain in my left leg where in the past three years I have had two major surgeries on my broken femur and hip. Later in the day, I started smelling a very bad almost rotting smell. I checked out the scar where the operation took place and noticed it oozing. Then I realized it was this that smelled so bad. To cut a long story short I have now have had to have emergency surgery to have the wound opened, cleaned out and stitched up again. What came out should be in horror movies, I was told then it was septicemia and could have lost my leg. Again, with not being able to afford medical insurance I have been hit with a bill of just over 800 US Dollars. I budget tightly every month and this hit me hard as it came out of nowhere. I am not afraid to say that I am in desperate need of help to cover this expense. Thanking you in anticipation of your kindness and generosity.

Regards, Bruce."

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UPDATE FROM BRUCE Please donate whatever you can to help him get through this month:

Hi all, well it has been two hellish years with pain, frustration and sadness. I would like to thank all of you who have supported me with messages, donations and psychological support. Well it looks like I will be ending this chapter soon. I am now managing slowly on crutches with no pain but my legs are very weak and I am trying to go further each day.

I have one last obstacle to go through. My Go Fund Me became a little of a cruel backfire on me, people did donate and the money came through, but a rumor started circulating that my Go Fund Me was hacked or it was a scam, this is when it went very quiet and then stopped. The go fund me is still active and safe, I say this, as I should start earning my own money next week (May), being a new month and the first money I will earn by myself in over two years, and not be a burden to others.

However, all the money has been used, mostly for unforeseen problems e.g. new crutches, wheelchair repair, dentist, very expensive medical costs.

I need to survive this month to make it into next month or else I will be without a roof over my head. I am looking for small donations so I can cover my rent, food, medication, travel (to and from the hospital & work) this is again me fighting to survive, but it’s looking to be better.

I really do appreciate all that you can and have done for me. Again, big thanks to Max Murphy for managing the Go Fund Me, Tom Meyer, Jack Bruce, Ken, Justin Mathis, Trinh Rong here in Vietnam and the O.Js. Again thank you to all of you and God Bless you for your generosity and kindness! “LIVE IT”

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Update: Bruce's Journey to Recovery and a Fresh Start

Dear friends and generous supporters,

We would like to share an update on Bruce Chalmers, whose resilience and strength have been truly remarkable over the past two years. Bruce embarked on a teaching career in Vietnam, but little did he know that he would face a series of unfortunate events that would test his spirit and resolve.

In the initial stages of the pandemic, Bruce suffered a severe accident while navigating wet stairs during a monsoon. The fall resulted in life-threatening injuries that required not one, but two major surgeries lasting seven grueling hours each. Initially, the doctors feared he might lose his leg or succumb to internal bleeding or infection. Thanks to the medical team, Bruce's left leg was saved.

During this challenging period, Bruce's friends rallied around him and generously donated funds to cover his medical expenses. Thanks to their support, he was able to afford the costly hospital stays, medication, rent, and food, with one hospital stay lasting an entire month. The kindness and compassion shown by his friends were truly invaluable and a source of inspiration for him.

However we are now looking at one last step and one last round to get Bruce out of Vietnam and to Thailand where he will have support of a friend, and job prospects.

Being practically bedridden for the past 2 years, Bruce has been unable to renew his Visa and the authorities haven’t accepted his medical records - though we are hopefully that this can be reviewed. The cost of getting his exit visa will be about USD600-USD800 though he won’t know until a date. On top of that, he will be needing a plane ticket and some living expenses.

Bruce has always been reluctant to ask for assistance, but those who know him understand that he possesses a kind heart and an unwavering spirit. He deserves a chance to catch a break and embark on a fresh chapter in his life. Unfortunately returning to South Africa is not an option, as he has no remaining ties there. Moreover, he has experienced the heartbreaking loss of his mother just a few days ago, following his father's passing a year ago. Furthermore, all his life savings have been depleted due to this string of misfortune.

We humbly appeal to your compassionate nature and ask for your help once again. Your support will not only alleviate the burden of the financial obligations but also provide Bruce with the means to rebuild his life. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant impact and be gratefully received.

Bruce extends his heartfelt gratitude to all those who have stood by him during these times. Your unwavering support has been a beacon of hope in his darkest hours. Let's rally together once more, uplift Bruce from the depths of adversity, and empower him to embrace a brighter future.

With sincere appreciation,

Max

**UPDATE**

I have added an update from Bruce below. Unfortunately, his immobility makes resolving his situation difficult, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. If you could consider sharing the Go Fund Me it would be greatly appreciated and get Bruce closer to getting back on his feet.

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MESSAGE FROM BRUCE:

Hello Friends,

I have been living a nightmare over the past year and a half and I am still battling on, I do believe I am slowly starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel but I am still going to need more medical attention and medication.

You all have left me at a loss for words and I cannot thank you enough for your generosity and kindness in donations, messages and goodwill. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this letter as this healing process had led to unforeseen major problems that have come up.

Due to me not being able to walk or travel (which is still the current status), I was informed to present myself at the Emigration VISA Office to have an interview I went with the help of three very kind and generous students using crutches and a wheelchair. This did not help much as there are no ramps or facilities for handicapped people, only stairs at this office. (Excruciating pain!!!)

I went very well prepared with documents, x-rays and photos as I had overstayed my Visa due to me not being able to travel and not having money to pay for a renewed Visa. All the money donated was and is needed for medical expenses, rent, food and other living expenses. The person interviewing me did not even look at what I brought; he said the law is the law (Communist Law). I now have to pay a fine and thereafter leave the country.

I plan to find a job teaching in Thailand before I leave so I will be going to have some security before I get there. I can have medical insurance and immediate medical help. This will be the last time I am asking for donations if this does not come together, all this will be a nightmare come true and I will have to magically find a way to survive. I realize I have to get out of this unlucky, but beautiful country and fantastic people.

I need this to try and make 2023 the best year of my life. You are all amazing people and I thank you again.

Kind regards.

Bruce.

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As you might have seen our beloved Bruce has been through the wars with his hips and general health. This has left him in a very bad way in Vietnam, unable to work and bedridden with his hip replacement not taking.

Now more than ever, he needs our help to get him through this and back on his feet again so he can get back to work. You will probably remember Bruce as a one-time Baboon and bouncer for many years at The Brass Monkey where he was often on the mic helping to raise money for various clubs and charities.

Bruce's full story is available if needed, but to cut a long story short, In July 2021, Bruce suffered a bad fall that caused severe complications to his hip replacements from a decade earlier. The fall caused his hip to dislocate and split his femur vertically down the middle (see x-ray below).

Unfortunately, due to COVID, Bruce could not get the medical attention he desperately needed making the problem worse. When he finally did, the operation was not successful and Bruce has been in almost constant pain and unable to work for over a year now.

His goal is to get through this and get back to work teaching English in Vietnam, but he needs your help! Our goal is to raise AUD 7,000. The money raised will be given directly to Bruce and will go towards much-needed living and medical expenses.

Please click and donate. I will collect the money and make sure it gets to Bruce in Vietnam.

If you have ever met Bruce you will know what a kind soul he is, so it’s our turn to repay the favour.

I am doing this as a friend of Bruce. Please contact me through the GoFund me links.

I will make sure that the funds are sent to Bruce in Vietnam.

Thank you!

Max.