Our History

My name is Martine Lewin, and my twin sister’s name is Rene Yarwood. We were both born in the East End of London, England. Our father was born in Lithuania and survived the Holocaust. Our dear mother passed away from cancer at 49 when we were 11. I have lived in the United States for 40 years and currently reside in New Mexico. My sister Rene lives in Manchester, England. She lost her first husband at age 54 to brain cancer.

Current Situation

I returned from an emergency trip to Manchester, England, to help reclaim my sister's life after a series of tragic events. I had not seen my sister in 8 years, and the situation I confronted broke my heart. My sister spent 14 weeks in a hospital bed in Salford General Hospital with a broken knee and severe head injuries after a fall she sustained at home. She left at home her 76-year-old husband diagnosed with advanced dementia and esophageal cancer. He resisted going to the hospital until social services intervened, and he was taken into a hospice ward at another hospital. A wonderful nurse at my sister's hospital arranged transportation, accompanying her to say final goodbyes to him. He died 2 days after her visit.

Prior to my sister's discharge, my niece, Sophie, came to Manchester from London to arrange the house for a hospital bed. Sophie reported that the house was in dire condition. The house had not been cleaned or maintained for years. The kitchen and the bathroom were unsanitary, and much of the furniture was broken and unsafe to use. My brother-in-law was also a hoarder, all of which was a result of his illness and dementia. My niece managed to make room to accommodate the hospital bed and other medical equipment as my sister was going to be discharged with non-weight bearing status.

I arrived at my sister's home and was in total shock to see the condition in which she lived. I cried my eyes out! I immediately went to work cleaning and disinfecting her home from top to bottom. I also got rid of all debris, broken furniture, and organized her personal affairs. During my two weeks' stay, I managed to link my sister up with all the possible social services, government entitlements, and charities.

My sister is connected to some basic resources and in need of additional support. I am maxed out on my credit card, having purchased all required medical supplies, basic clothing, bedding, towels, cleaning supplies, dumpster removal, and handymen to assist in fixing items around the house. My sister’s remaining home possessions include a desk, one chair, two side tables, and a lamp.

My Ask

Some relatives suggested I start a GoFundMe page. This is the first occasion in my life that I have requested financial assistance, and I find it quite challenging. The goal of this campaign is to purchase the following items for my sister: bedroom furniture, two-night lamps, a sofa or recliner, and a coffee table. Any remaining funds would go to paint the interior of the 700-square-foot house.

England once had an excellent healthcare and social services system. It is now on the brink of collapse, fraught with fraudulent claims and abuse. The cost of living and household items in the U.K. have doubled, increasing pressure on individuals and families. My sister has experienced an enormous amount of loss and grief. My wish for her is to meet her basic needs and live with dignity. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for listening and your consideration.

Martine Lewin