Support Santi's Journey to a Seizure-Free Life

Hello, I am Kelsey Winfrey. I just went on a mission trip to the country of Panama and met an amazing family! Their son (Santi) needs medical attention but they do not have enough money or resources in Panama. We have all the resources here in the United States. They need money for travel expenses and medical bills once they get here. God is great and He can provide for this family. Here is the story that his parents told me in Panama:

Santiago is 13 years old, but since the day he was born he has been fighting for his life.

At the age of 3 he was diagnosed with Epilepsy Syndrome.

At that time we lived in Venezuela, after some medical examinations and evaluating various options for Santiago's treatment, Vagal Stimulation (VNS) therapy, also known as his implant, was suggested to us. Unfortunately the conditions in Venezuela were not favorable and we were on a waiting list for three years, without having any type of response. Meanwhile, Santi was having up to 80 seizures in one day.

Faced with the situation, we began to pray and in a miraculous way, since we had no resources, God brought us to Panama. Due to Santi's situation, his doctor put him on a list and in less than a year they were already placing an implant through donations from the hospital.

As time went by we were able to begin to see that the seizures decreased and in a period they disappeared completely for almost a year, it was so helpful and very surprising since he had seizures every day and suddenly that was no longer the case.

Unfortunately the battery of his implant ran out, and it must be replaced, we began to seek help from the government here in Panama but we did not obtain favorable responses, although their commitment at the beginning when they donated the implants not only to Santi but to other children, our request was denied.

Santi's quality of life deteriorates without the implant, seizures have been increasing as well as the amount of seizure medication Santi has to take.

Santi's confirmed diagnosis is Lennox Syndrome.

Characterized by aggressive and multiple types of epilepsy, also by cognitive delay. Unfortunately, due to the number of seizures that Santi has he constantly suffers severe blows from falls that often end with a visit to the emergency room to get stitches. From: Hendrix and Beru (Santi’s parents)

I have already confirmed with a pediatric epilepsy coordinator at MU health in Columbia, MO that if we could get Santi here he could receive the implant that he needs. The cost for the implant is 20,000. Once Santi gets this implant he may never have a seizure ever again. With being in the medical field, God has placed this on my heart to help this family as much as I can. I started this go fund me to raise money for this amazing family. If you can’t donate they would appreciate your prayers. Thank you so so much!!