Our dear friend and cherished member of the Option 1 Models family, Akin Girav, was diagnosed with ALS this past January. Recently, he was hospitalized in Istanbul and has now been in the ICU for 2 weeks now due to complications from the disease. We are grateful that his condition has improved and that he remains conscious and lucid, but he currently requires a ventilator to assist with his breathing and will likely need 24-hour care moving forward.

Unfortunately, neither Medicare nor Turkish health insurance will cover the cost of his hospital stay. Because of his unique circumstances with multiple addresses, Turkey is not recognized as his official home, leaving his family responsible for the overwhelming medical expenses. These include the ICU stay, ventilator equipment, and the cost of round-the-clock care once he returns home.

We are reaching out to our community to ask for support in easing this financial burden. Any contribution—big or small—will make a meaningful difference in helping Akin get the care he needs.

Akin is deeply loved and missed, and we are hopeful he can soon return home to be surrounded by family and friends.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity, prayers, and kindness during this difficult time.