HELP FOR THE CASTILLO FAMILY
Donation protected
We are reaching out to all who are willing, as we are raising money for a dear, dear friend of ours.
Our friend Ann Castillo is the wife of Bert Castillo and mother of 2 children Andi and Amber. The Castillo family are one of the most generous and kindest people we know, and have always been the first ones to step up and support their friends. We would like to help the Castillos by fundraising for assistance with medical expenses and family support in the fight for Bert’s life.
On April 1, 2020, Bert tested positive for Covid-19 after experiencing symptoms such as fever and cough. He was taken by his wife Ann to JFK ER on April 5 due to difficulty breathing. He was then admitted to the Critical Care Unit and eventually required intubation on April 8. Bert stayed in the hospital, on ventilator, for 107 days. His hospitalization was complicated by several other medical conditions including blood transfusions, persistent fever, Pneumothorax and chest tube placement, gastrostomy tube placement, kidney failure which required him to have dialysis three times a week, and possible stroke. Results of the EEG test performed on June 14 showed Encephalopathy and severe brain dysfunction. His family was unable to visit him for almost 3 months due to strict covid-19 guidelines, and were only receiving updates via phone calls from Bert’s doctors and nurses. On July 20, he was transferred to Kindred Acute Long Term Care Facility. It was the first time his children were able to have a glimpse of him while en route to the facility. He was slowly weaned off the ventilator but remained in a dependent state, barely responsive, and on trach collar. After 56 days, he was transferred to Genesis Rehabilitation Center in Westfield. However after only a few days, he had to be sent back to the ER because of fever, vomiting and hematuria. He was admitted with a diagnosis of Ulcer, which required another blood transfusion. He is currently back in rehabilitation but was recently diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, has worsening sacral wound and is being monitored again for other infections. His family is now able to visit him and watch him from the window of his room.
Ann has decided to take her husband Bert back home, hoping it will help with his recovery. Despite receiving Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy, he continues to be passive, unresponsive, and unable to follow simple commands. He requires total care in everything. When they bring him home to their small apartment, he will require various medical equipment including a hospital bed, hoyer lift, special chair, as well as continued services such as home health aide, visiting nurse, respiratory, physical and occupational therapists, etc. Ann who is currently the only earning member of the family, will have to reduce her work hours in order to care for him and at the same time attend to her children. This will be a long battle that will affect their family on so many levels. Please help us raise money for this unexpected journey forced upon them and remove some of the financial burden from their shoulders so they can focus on Bert’s recovery.
Anything you are willing to donate will be graciously accepted. We fully understand the current pandemic has affected many, so if you are not in a position to donate, all we ask is you repost or forward this on. We, the friends of Ann and Bert Castillo, respectfully request any and all assistance to help them with this battle. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and please keep them in your prayers.
All funds raised will be sent directly to Ann's sister Sarah Mae C. Iregui, whom she has entrusted to take care of any financial help they may receive. Ann and her family will be the recipient of all donations received.
Our friend Ann Castillo is the wife of Bert Castillo and mother of 2 children Andi and Amber. The Castillo family are one of the most generous and kindest people we know, and have always been the first ones to step up and support their friends. We would like to help the Castillos by fundraising for assistance with medical expenses and family support in the fight for Bert’s life.
On April 1, 2020, Bert tested positive for Covid-19 after experiencing symptoms such as fever and cough. He was taken by his wife Ann to JFK ER on April 5 due to difficulty breathing. He was then admitted to the Critical Care Unit and eventually required intubation on April 8. Bert stayed in the hospital, on ventilator, for 107 days. His hospitalization was complicated by several other medical conditions including blood transfusions, persistent fever, Pneumothorax and chest tube placement, gastrostomy tube placement, kidney failure which required him to have dialysis three times a week, and possible stroke. Results of the EEG test performed on June 14 showed Encephalopathy and severe brain dysfunction. His family was unable to visit him for almost 3 months due to strict covid-19 guidelines, and were only receiving updates via phone calls from Bert’s doctors and nurses. On July 20, he was transferred to Kindred Acute Long Term Care Facility. It was the first time his children were able to have a glimpse of him while en route to the facility. He was slowly weaned off the ventilator but remained in a dependent state, barely responsive, and on trach collar. After 56 days, he was transferred to Genesis Rehabilitation Center in Westfield. However after only a few days, he had to be sent back to the ER because of fever, vomiting and hematuria. He was admitted with a diagnosis of Ulcer, which required another blood transfusion. He is currently back in rehabilitation but was recently diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, has worsening sacral wound and is being monitored again for other infections. His family is now able to visit him and watch him from the window of his room.
Ann has decided to take her husband Bert back home, hoping it will help with his recovery. Despite receiving Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy, he continues to be passive, unresponsive, and unable to follow simple commands. He requires total care in everything. When they bring him home to their small apartment, he will require various medical equipment including a hospital bed, hoyer lift, special chair, as well as continued services such as home health aide, visiting nurse, respiratory, physical and occupational therapists, etc. Ann who is currently the only earning member of the family, will have to reduce her work hours in order to care for him and at the same time attend to her children. This will be a long battle that will affect their family on so many levels. Please help us raise money for this unexpected journey forced upon them and remove some of the financial burden from their shoulders so they can focus on Bert’s recovery.
Anything you are willing to donate will be graciously accepted. We fully understand the current pandemic has affected many, so if you are not in a position to donate, all we ask is you repost or forward this on. We, the friends of Ann and Bert Castillo, respectfully request any and all assistance to help them with this battle. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and please keep them in your prayers.
All funds raised will be sent directly to Ann's sister Sarah Mae C. Iregui, whom she has entrusted to take care of any financial help they may receive. Ann and her family will be the recipient of all donations received.
Organizer and beneficiary
Diane Rasco
Organizer
South Plainfield, NJ
Sarah Mae C. Iregui
Beneficiary