As some people know, I am an RN at a well-known hospital in Boston. I am hoping that someone in the Kos community might have some connections or suggestions in a search for assistance for one of our patients. I realize that this is not really an appropriate "use" of a daily diary, but this is important, and I don't want to leave any avenue unexplored.
K. is a 12-year-old boy from Ukraine. In May he was playing near the train tracks when he fell, and his left leg came into contact with the electrified third rail. The electrical discharge arced through him, leaving him with a nearly disintegrated leg, and profound exit wounds to his upper arms and chest. He spent months in the hospital in Ukraine, where the lack of proper treatment made his wounds worse. His leg was amputated above the knee.
He came to us in July, and we were able to successfully close his wounds with skin grafts and proper treatment. Unfortunately, in the course of his stay with us we determined that, probably as a result of blood transfusions in Ukraine, K. is now HIV positive.
This is a death sentence for this boy. While advanced treatments are available here in the west that can hold HIV's progression in check, perhaps indefinitely, the cost involved is simply beyond the financial reach of K.'s mother. Shriners can and will pay for his burn care and his artificial leg, but we are not able to meet the long-term financial obligations of HIV treatment.
I am aware that there are charities for American children with HIV/AIDS, but K.'s status as a foreign national adds a complicating factor. If anyone is aware of a charity or resource which might be able to help, whether back in Ukraine or here in the US, please email me or respond in a comment.
Thank you.
UPDATE:
I am simply overwhelmed by the volume of support that this diary has received. I've barely been able to keep up with handing out mojo to all who have responded with ideas or simply good wishes. I'm not ashamed to say it has choked me up a little.
I think that with the resources that have been offered to me that K.'s situation is looking pretty good. I'm going to hold off for now on any fundraising, because if he can get the help he needs through the contacts provided, then I'd just as soon people give their money to more needy causes. But I can't thank everyone enough.
From time to time on this forum I have taken flack for my sometimes intemperate words. And like just about all of us I have gotten embroiled in sometimes ugly exchanges of strongly-held opinion. It's nice to be reminded of what this community is really all about, and what good people are willing to do.
Thank you from me, from all of us at Shriners Hospital, and from K. Or as he would say, spahseeba!