Support for Zayma Gorfe
Donation protected
Last week my friend Zayma Gorfe, told me the shocking news that she has been diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (https://www.webmd.com/cancer/cancer-langerhans-cell-histiocytosis?fbclid=IwAR2RgPWQ--HuafAWVOyM_CDgf8n7Lb-PdyR_pcqPQlnt4FIOjjncyN47lVQ#1
Zayma has lived and worked, with her husband Sammy and their one year old Sebek, in The Solomon Islands for over a year. Zayma had been having headaches and pain behind her eyes and ears. Her symptoms had nothing to do with her work as a diver. The doctors in the Solomons did all the general tests to rule out invections or viruses. The tests were negative and with nothing more they could do, they referred her to the hospital in Fiji for a CAT scan. Zayma, Sammy and their son Sebek flew to Fiji on Sebek’s first birthday and spent the next three days at the hospital where they completed many different tests including a needle biopsy. The conclusion: Zayma needs to return to Canada for further tests and treatment.
Right now Zayma and Sammy are slowly coming to terms with what this means for them. Zayma will need to come to Canada, leaving her son and husband behind, in order to start the diagnosis process. This will take a minimum of two months. Sammy will need to continue to work, while simultaneously taking care of Sebek. This may be in the Solomons, or in Sammys home country, the Seychelles. In a few months, Sammy plans to come to Canada to suport Zayma through treatment and recovery. He will need to get a visa and flights. Neither of them will be able to work while Sammy is in Canada.
They are currently in Fiji, attempting to communicate with doctors in Canada, booking appoitements, and communicating with their wide network of family ties in Canada, Ethiopia, and the Seychelles, making plans for the next steps. They are hoping to have an idea of when Zaymas first appointment in Toronto will be within the week. On November 10, they will return to the Solomons to pack up their things and say goodbye to the home they made there.
Zayma, Sammy, and Sebek need our prayers and support. This diagnosis has changed their plans and will greatly affect their livelihood in the next few months. Community and connections for them are far and wide. It is not possible for all of us to visit and support them (of course if you are close or able they would love to see you and would gladly accept a meal, or help with Sebek!) Through this GoFundMe page, we are able to help support them in a financial way. Below is a list of some of the things they need and that the money raised will go towards:
- Travel for Zayma from the Solomon Islands to Toronto
- Travel between Toronto and Thunder Bay
- Travel for Sammy and Sebek from the Solomon Islands back to Seychelles (Sammy will work there and have family to help care for Sebek)
- Travel for Sammy and Sebek to join Zayma in Canada and support her during treatment and recovery
- A computer (they only have one and this will help them to communicate while they are apart)
- Winter clothes for the whole family
-Accommodations and food for while in Toronto
Zayma has lived and worked, with her husband Sammy and their one year old Sebek, in The Solomon Islands for over a year. Zayma had been having headaches and pain behind her eyes and ears. Her symptoms had nothing to do with her work as a diver. The doctors in the Solomons did all the general tests to rule out invections or viruses. The tests were negative and with nothing more they could do, they referred her to the hospital in Fiji for a CAT scan. Zayma, Sammy and their son Sebek flew to Fiji on Sebek’s first birthday and spent the next three days at the hospital where they completed many different tests including a needle biopsy. The conclusion: Zayma needs to return to Canada for further tests and treatment.
Right now Zayma and Sammy are slowly coming to terms with what this means for them. Zayma will need to come to Canada, leaving her son and husband behind, in order to start the diagnosis process. This will take a minimum of two months. Sammy will need to continue to work, while simultaneously taking care of Sebek. This may be in the Solomons, or in Sammys home country, the Seychelles. In a few months, Sammy plans to come to Canada to suport Zayma through treatment and recovery. He will need to get a visa and flights. Neither of them will be able to work while Sammy is in Canada.
They are currently in Fiji, attempting to communicate with doctors in Canada, booking appoitements, and communicating with their wide network of family ties in Canada, Ethiopia, and the Seychelles, making plans for the next steps. They are hoping to have an idea of when Zaymas first appointment in Toronto will be within the week. On November 10, they will return to the Solomons to pack up their things and say goodbye to the home they made there.
Zayma, Sammy, and Sebek need our prayers and support. This diagnosis has changed their plans and will greatly affect their livelihood in the next few months. Community and connections for them are far and wide. It is not possible for all of us to visit and support them (of course if you are close or able they would love to see you and would gladly accept a meal, or help with Sebek!) Through this GoFundMe page, we are able to help support them in a financial way. Below is a list of some of the things they need and that the money raised will go towards:
- Travel for Zayma from the Solomon Islands to Toronto
- Travel between Toronto and Thunder Bay
- Travel for Sammy and Sebek from the Solomon Islands back to Seychelles (Sammy will work there and have family to help care for Sebek)
- Travel for Sammy and Sebek to join Zayma in Canada and support her during treatment and recovery
- A computer (they only have one and this will help them to communicate while they are apart)
- Winter clothes for the whole family
-Accommodations and food for while in Toronto
Organizer
Corrina Whybourne
Organizer
Thunder Bay, ON