<div>Hi, my name is Amanda, and I am starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my cousin Gabby and her sweet pup, one year old Bentlee.
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<div>On Tuesday, September 9th, Bentlee suddenly began acting very strange, and Gabby rushed him to the emergency vet. After many tests, he was diagnosed with a liver shunt — a serious and life-threatening condition, especially in pugs. His liver wasn’t functioning properly, and without surgery, Bentlee wouldn’t have survived.

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<div>He underwent a risky procedure to place an Ameroid constrictor and remove a bladder stone. While the surgery was successful, the recovery period is very fragile. The next few weeks will be critical, as complications such as fatal seizures are still possible. Statistics show that many pugs don’t survive the first month post-surgery, but Bentley is a fighter, and we’re holding on to hope.

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<div>So far, Bentlee is showing small signs of progress — his blood pressure is improving, and he’s beginning to transition from IV fluids to oral medications. But he still requires close monitoring and additional care.

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<div>Unfortunately, Gabby’s pet insurance denied all claims for this life-saving surgery, leaving her to shoulder the entire financial burden out of pocket. On top of the emotional stress, the mounting medical bills are overwhelming.

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<div>I am asking for donations to help lift some of that weight off her shoulders so she can focus fully on Bentlee’s healing. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference in giving this sweet pups the best chance possible at recovery.

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<div>If you aren’t able to donate, please consider sharing this campaign with others. Your support, love, and prayers mean the world to us.

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<div>From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping Bentlee fight for his life.

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<div>— Amanda

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Help Bentlee

<div><strong>Hi, My name is Anna Lee, and I'm creating this Go Fund Me for my cousin Joanna Gieschen. Jo is one of the funniest, most caring people I know.</strong> And through a lifetime of challenges, including multiple chronic health conditions like lupus and diabetes, Jo has worked hard each and every day to do whatever it takes to provide for herself, while also always being of service to others in need.
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<div><strong>But right now Joanna needs some help herself. She has been diagnosed with uterine cancer and is scheduled to have surgery at the end of September, </strong>with any follow up treatments (like radiation or chemo) to be determined once the surgery is complete.
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<div>Unfortunately like many folks these days, despite working full time she's been living paycheck to paycheck just to get by.<strong> She's a super hard worker but has been working as an independent contractor for driving and delivery services and in other jobs that don't provide sick time or health insurance. So, she's on her own with no safety net for day to day living expenses while she is out of work, or working less than normal. </strong>She's going to need to be off work for at least three weeks, and likely more. And even if back to work will be restricted on how many hours she can work with the physical limitations from the surgery.
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<div>With all of that uncertainty in income, as well as additional costs for medicines and other needs post surgery, I would like to help ease her mind and assure that she has a cushion of at least two months of expenses so that she can truly rest and recover.
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<div><strong>She's been incredibly hesitant to ask for this kind of help, but I've encouraged her to be open to receiving kindness from people, as she so often is kind and takes care of others, even when she does not have much herself.</strong> Any support you can provide will go to cover her rent, insurance, medicines, food, and other day to day needs while she is recovering and not working.
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<div>Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or messages you'd like to share. Any donation helps! And if you can't support financially, but would like to make her a meal or check in on her, please reach out to me, and I'll let you know how you can help.
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<div>Thank you so very much!
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<div>Anna Lee
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<div>Joanna's cousin
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Support Joanna during cancer treatment

<font color="#333333">Hi everyone my name is Selma Bento, 7 months ago my twin sister Silvia started her battle to keep her smile. She was diagnosed with a terrible immune disorder called Sjögren Syndrome that is commonly identified with dry eyes and mouth. This caused severe decay and teeth loss despite oral care. This has lead my sister to a long journey involving long trips to UNC School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill NC a 3 hour trip each way from our town in order to get affordable care and treatment. Thanks to so many friends and family , Silvia was able to pay and receive the initial treatment. The healing process has been challenging and in this process it was found out Silvia needed the attention of a more experienced professional to address the need for bone grafting and 3 times more the work the school would be able to offer her due to Silvia’s complicated outcome. She will need at least 8 implants to hold the teeth in place as she experienced severe bone loss. Sadly this has also increased the cost of this necessary treatment at least 3 times than expected. <br />It breaks my heart to hear Silvia say “ let me go put more glue on my teeth lower gum so I can eat”, or go to a restaurant as ask for a knife and fork to eat a simple sandwich. <br />Silvia is the last one who would ask for help, as she has always being one to help anyone in need, but she is worth more than words can say.<br />One can say a person smile is everything and Silvia loves to work with people and always dreamed of having a perfect smile but beneath a smile one needs to properly be able to speak, eat and taste food. <br />I silently suffer seeing my sister still struggling with this 7 months after she lost all her teeth.<br />We ask for your help again. Any donation is deeply appreciated. We know it will all be ok in the end and it’s been a learning journey for her but it can be a lonely road. Please pray for her. Please help me help her. God bless you all. We love all of you. ❤️</font>

Selma Bento

Selma Bento

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Support Joanna during cancer treatment

SILVIA’S FIGHT TO KEEP SMILING

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