Support Maika’s Road to Recovery #livelaughleftventriclefail

PIC TRIGGER WARNING. Maika consented to photo being taken and shared.

My best friend Maika has been in hospital for several weeks due to complications from hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Over the years, she’s already endured two open-heart surgeries and had two defibrillators implanted. Her journey has been anything but easy — filled with endless tests, procedures, and daily uncertainties.

Recently, doctors discovered that her mechanical heart valve was no longer functioning due to a large blood clot. She’s since undergone seven 24-hour rounds of intensive medication, alongside daily echocardiograms and bloodwork. Up until today, there had been little progress, and we were preparing for the possibility of another high-risk open-heart surgery.

But today — on Mother’s Day — we finally received a glimmer of hope. The clot has started to shrink, and her valve is beginning to move again. It’s the first good news we’ve had in weeks. Maika will continue this treatment, and we’re all holding onto hope that surgery can be avoided.

Maika is just 34 years old. She’s the proud mother of 11-year-old Isla, and she’s also opened her heart and home to her younger brother (18), whose family remains in PNG. She’s spent the last 10 years dedicated to social work, supporting people with disabilities — always putting others first.

Now, she needs our help.

Unable to work during this time and facing mounting medical bills, this already overwhelming journey has also become financially devastating. With Maika’s full consent, I’ve started this fundraiser to help ease some of that burden.

Our goal is to raise $1,000 to cover essential groceries, medications, and home equipment that will support her recovery. Items like a shower commode will help her retain her independence and dignity as she heals — giving her the ability to care for herself and her family without the added stress of financial strain.

If you’re able to donate, any amount will make a difference. And if you can’t contribute financially, please consider sharing this fundraiser to help us reach more hearts. Every dollar, every share, and every kind thought counts.

Thank you for reading and for supporting someone who has spent her life supporting others.

Finally, as a show of gratitude, Maika has crocheted an AstroBoy Amigurumi for the top donator :) (picture included) “like AstroBoy, I am part bionic so I feel that this is meaningful to me” - Maika.