In Loving Memory- Former Rugby Player Ștefan Stan

This was his story when we initially started this fundraiser 5 months ago. A lot happened since then, and you can read the updates to see the path he’s been going through since. 

The last update would explain why this fundraiser changed from Medical to Memorial. Thank you for your support and kindness! 

The Drama of Rugby Player Ștefan Stan, a Strong Man with Eroded Bones. Desperate Cry for Help

Ștefan Stan, a former high-performance Romanian rugby player, suffered a terrible car accident on August 31st, 2019, which resulted in a diagnosis of paraplegia by doctors. To stabilize his spine, doctors surgically intervened with two plates along his spine and six screws in his vertebrae.

Since then, Ștefan and his family have been going through a terrible drama. The 35-year-old player has started a long and painful series of treatments to have a somewhat normal life. After his first surgery, Stefan began experiencing intense neuropathic pain in his sacral region.

Stefan suffered a spinal cord injury which caused a small compression in his spinal cord at the T12-L1 level. Despite undergoing various therapies to regain control over his legs, he has not seen any significant improvement (though he can deliberately contract his gluteal muscles, thighs, and toes).

Several neurosurgeons from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Israel have reviewed his MRI scans and all agree that Stefan should be able to walk, but they couldn't explain why he is still unable to do so. They speculated that the nerves in the compressed area may be causing the problem. The pain was gone only when he was in a vertical position, such as when he was able to stand or performed certain therapies.

No doctor could find the cause of the pain until his recent visit to Israel.

After detailed tests at a hospital in Jerusalem, Ștefan recently received another blow: he found out that he has an infection in his spine that could reach the spinal cord at any time and endanger his life. Now, he urgently needs a complicated surgical intervention that costs over 130,000 euros, money that his family does not have.

Ștefan Stan is a loving husband, a father of a daughter, and a former high-performance rugby player who practiced this sport for 25 years.

He Sold His House to Get Treatment

After the operation, Ștefan's life changed suddenly, turning into a nightmare that is hard to imagine. He was left with terrible pains that tortured him day and night. However, he continuously searched for healing and never lost hope.

His family - his wife and daughter - supported him with everything they could and were by his side during the toughest moments, every day, leaving everything else behind. Due to the huge costs of treatment, they were even forced to sell their house, as well as all their belongings, to pay for Ștefan's treatments.

Infection Affects His Bones and Spine

Recently, after detailed analysis and testing at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem, Ștefan found out that two of the six screws used to stabilize his spine caused a strong infection in his spine, eroding his bones, and can lead to an infection of the spinal cord. Ștefan urgently needs the surgical intervention recommended by doctors and a specific treatment for the infection to save his life.

Doctors wanted to operate on him immediately when they discovered the terrible infection that endangers Ștefan's life, but the family did not have the necessary funds to pay for the intervention, and they postponed it, risking his life.

Every minute, every day counts for Ștefan, as the infection can quickly reach his spinal cord.

How You Can Help

The total costs of the surgical intervention and post-treatment exceed 130,000 euros, a sum that the family cannot afford, and therefore, they are asking for help from people.

Anything helps, and if you can, please share this fundraiser with the world.

More about his story to be found on Stefan's Facebook Page, Artemys's, Stefan's wife Facebook Page, or the Facebook Group #UnEseuPentruStefan

You can save Stefan's life!