‘If she passes away, I want to know that I did everything I could’
STANHOPE GARDENS resident Shameel Prasad is desperate to raise $20,000 to keep his mother, Kokila Devi, alive. He is putting his life and own family on hold as he scrambles to help his mother who is dying of renal failure back home in Fiji.
Rouse Hill
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TO SAY Shameel Prasad is desperate is an understatement.
The Stanhope Gardens local is putting his life and own family on hold as he scrambles to save his mother Kokila Devi from dying of renal failure back home in Fiji, where kidney dialysis is out of reach for most due to the prohibitive cost.
His sister Shareen Dau was just 37 when she died five years ago — leaving behind a five-year-old son Jayden — also of renal failure, her life ending a week after she was diagnosed.
Mr Prasad, who works as a security guard, fears he also could have the renal problem in the future but for now wants to save his mother.
Mr Prasad, 37, sends home just enough money — around $400-500 each week — to cover the dialysis for his mother, who has pleaded with him to just let her go.
“I just want to save my mother who is just 61 and left our home in Stanhope Gardens to look after my sister’s son,’ Mr Prasad told the Rouse Hill Times.
“She has been diagnosed with stage five renal failure and needs dialysis thrice a week and is at the moment unfit to have a kidney transplant.
“Sending so much money home has also put a big financial strain on my family here.
“My mother tells me not to send her anymore money because she knows how hard it is ... but how can I stop?
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“If she passes away, I want to know that I did everything I could do for her.
“There is no funded or subsidised dialysis for the common person in Fiji who earn an average of $250 a week while the treatment alone costs between $400-500 per week.”
His desperation for help has seen him start a Gofundme page with a goal of $20,000.
“My sister died within a week of finding she had renal failure and my mum, who was living with us here, went back to Fiji to look after Jayden,” said Mr Prasad, who has a seven-year-old daughter.
IN HER GOFUNDME PAGE, HIS MUM KOKILA WRITES:
“I am one of many in Pacific Islands waiting for the day my creator rids me of the agony and misery of my daily life caused by end stage kidney failure.
“If I make it to Xmas 2017, I have been told it's the best gift I can get.
“I done want to envisage my gift to my family this Xmas is me in a casket and deprive them the joy this festive season is meant to be.
“My days are numbered and I wish this upon no one.”
To help, visit her GoFundMe page.
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