Saving my son Yousef from diabetes type 1 .

Hello, everyone. My name is Haya Jouda, and I am a Palestinian who was displaced from Gaza City , I worked as a dentist and am a mother of three boys: Jameel, 14 years old, Bahaa, 12 years old, and Youssef, 7 years old.

As many of you know, the war is still ongoing in my city, Gaza. The city has been destroyed, and everything in it is gone.

I left my home one night, filled with fear, terror, and devastating bombardment. My heart trembled with fear for my children, terrified of death. I left my home, my belongings, and everything that belonged to me. I fled to save my children’s lives, but I left my soul and heart torn apart there.

I didn’t know that it would be my last farewell to my memories and life, and that I would never find my home again, nor my dental clinic, my second home, which was my livelihood for my children. Unfortunately, I lost everything in the blink of an eye.

And so began the journey of torment, psychological and physical destruction. I joined the displaced, tasting the bitterness of displacement in many places that lacked any basic necessities of life—no cleanliness, no safety, no security—until I ended up in the city of Rafah. It pained me to walk unfamiliar paths, but I was forced to fight to save my family…

Suddenly, my young son became gravely ill and fell into a coma. After several tests, it was discovered that he had type 1 diabetes, a severe vitamin D deficiency, and dysfunction in his kidney and liver. His health completely deteriorated due to the fear and terror he had experienced, and from inhaling toxic gases.

…

I gathered the remaining strength I had and decided to leave the beloved and devastated Gaza from all sides, especially the health sector, to the neighboring country of Egypt in an attempt to save my sick son. I traveled into the unknown darkness, without any means of travel. I had no money or source of income to support my children and to afford my son’s treatment. My son, who is suffering, needs intensive medical and nutritional care to survive. I am a homeless refugee in a country where I own nothing. I thought no one could hear me or see me in these harsh conditions I’m enduring with my children.

But…!! I found you to support and help me and my sick son, who needs your presence and support by his side. I hope, with God’s grace and your generous donations, that I will be able to secure the treatment, equipment, and tests for my son.

To the compassionate and merciful people—you are the angels and true heroes sent by God to my son and my family. You support and stand by us so we can overcome these harsh difficulties here. My son is trying to regain his health and strength.

I will continue to share all my circumstances with you. Please, do not abandon or forsake me. Support me for the sake of my young son, Youssef.”