Hi,
My name is Karen Zusman and I'm a multi-media journalist and for many years I have been covering issues related to the people of Burma (www.pleasedontsaymyname.org).
Recently I returned to Burma to see for myself what changes were underway since Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to parliament. During my stay, I met a lovely man named Kyaw Myint and his family in Bagan, the ancient, sacred city. I spent the day riding in his horsecart accompanied by his 13-year old son, Naing Lin Oo. And this is the reason why I'm writing to you.
Naing Lin needs heart surgery. He has a condition that essentially means one of the valves of his heart does not close properly and as a result he coughs up blood and on occasion, blood fills his lungs. This condition will get worse as he grows older. And surgery will also be more difficult and dangerous for him with each passing year. Now is the time for Naing Lin to have his procedure.
I promised Naing Lin's father i would do what i could to make sure they can keep their appointment for surgery on Februrary 7. I will be sending the money directly to the hospital--Yangon General--in Burma. I have friends in Yangon who will check on Naing Lin after the surgery, and I will be visiting later in the year to check on him as well.
We need $3500 in total to cover all immediate costs associated with the surgery. About half that amount funds the procedure itself and the other half will be used to buy 9 bottles of blood and all the necessary medicines--in Burma, patients must pay for these things themselves--as well as pay for a shared room with 3 other patients for Naing Lin and his father for one month after the surgery. Because conditions in Burma are difficult, it is absolutely necessary that Naing Lin stay in hospital care for this time to ensure a healthy recovery.
The procedure will be performed in the Cardiac unit by a team that includes one Burmese surgeon and one visiting foreign surgeon--we were told this doctor will be from either Korea or New Zealand.
If the money does not reach the hospital by the day before the surgery, Naing Lin will lose his spot and have to wait another year--providing they can raise the money. This has already happened to them once. I do not want this boy to be turned away a second time!
Any amount over our goal will be saved in a fund to support further medical care for Naing Lin post-surgery.
I have chosen the Indigogo account that allows me to keep whatever I raise minus 9% should we not reach our goal. If we reach our goal, I will be charged only 4%.
I have already raised !,000 from a few lovely friends and now I am reaching out to a wider circle of friends and friends of friends. Or anyone with a heart for Burma.
Many of you who know me know i am connected with a few other, larger projects related to Burma and Burmese refugees. But this one touches me greatly because it is so readily do-able and will have such a great impact on one very special boy who i had the joy of getting to know during my time in Bagan.
Any amount will help us reach our goal. It all adds up! But if you are able to give a bit more I have organized a few gifts of appreciation in the "perks" section. And if you live in the NYC area, i will be hosting a private house concert with legendary jazz guitarist, Gene Bertoncini, jazz guitar virtuoso Paul Meyers, and tabla extraordinaire Bill Buchen. This party will be a benefit to raise money for the surgery and post-surgery as well. Since it is in my home, space is quite limited, but if you are interested in joining us for a night of exquisite music one evening toward the end of January, please read about it in the "perks" section.
I know times are hard and it seems whenever we check email someone is asking us for something. If you are not able to help monetarily but feel so moved, please pass this campaign link on to a friend who may be interested and able to help one of the most lovely boys in the world. We thank you.
