03/23/2019
From Gerry Balasta, Director of The Mountain Thief: THIS ONE IS FOR FAMILY—-For most of you who knows me, through the years, I had always been involved and initiated a lot, and joined or supported different fundraising efforts to help people in need. Most of it has been successful and it has touch lives and made a difference for sure. But this one is personal and thugs the heart, as its abruptness had ask me, straight to my face to hold on to people I love and family dearly as much as I can. This is about my cousin Gerard Jimenez from Manila, young, loving who is full of love and full of life, full of promise, handsome and kind. Just 20 years old, in college at San Beda with a dream to work in the tech industry someday —he suddenly fell ill to one of the most devastating illness —-TB Meningitis, an infection that affects the meninges covering of the brain.
https://www.gofundme.com/save-gerard-from-tb-meningitis
Gerard is a fighter and he is fighting for his life now, from my conversation with my Uncle last night, he is responding a little now, but not out of the woods, as he needs a couple of surgery in the head and throat. Unfortunately there is no health insurance system in the Philippines to cover a catastrophic illness like this and the medical bills to cover his medical needs has gone insurmountable now (even in western standards) this is when I’m seeking one and all to come together with me and be the community that has always worked in all my endeavors as an artist and an organizer. If you have 2 mins of your time, kindly share our fundraising campaign link below as we all know the more people know about our story the better the chance of a contribution. If you can and “only if you can” contribute even $1 that will be highly appreciated, every thing counts at this point , if not a prayer or a share of our campaign is good as well, and be highly appreciated. Thanks so much for all the support through the years, I promise to give back one day.
https://www.gofundme.com/save-gerard-from-tb-meningitis
