There is a GoFundMe campaign to help a young Madeiran from Câmara de Lobos.
Bernardo Nesci, 27, was diagnosed with testicular cancer six months ago. With stage 4 cancer the tumours have spread to his lymph nodes, back, stomach, and lungs.
The campaign is being supported by businessman Dário Silva, from Grupo Teatro, who has already joined the platform and is asking everyone to support the young Madeiran. According to Bernardo, whose story is written below, he needs eight thousand euros for treatment. At the time the article was released he had managed to raise €1,419.
This is Bernardo Nesci’s testimony:
Hello everyone, my name is Bernardo, I am 27 years old, and 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with stage four testicular cancer, with metastases in the lymph nodes, back, stomach, and lungs.
However, I was unable to get an immediate diagnosis from the public hospital, and as I was in so much pain and consuming absurd amounts of painkillers I was forced to take out a loan so that I could go to the private hospital. From then on I have spent a huge amount of money to confirm the diagnosis, having had several consultations, ultrasound, 3 CT scans, and 2 MRIs, in addition to going to a second opinion. After that, I underwent and had to pay for surgery to remove the testicle, post-operative care, and chemotherapy.
Due to the pain, I have been prescribed a large amount of medication, all of which I have paid for, and although I have been reimbursed some of the costs it hasn’t covered the amounts I have paid. I am on pain pads and protein boosters which are extremely expensive as well as suffering from complications.
I have had little help and despite being ill I have also submitted papers so that I could be eligible for a disability allowance. Social Security has turned down my application twice, which means that in the last 6 months, I have had no financial assistance, yet I have always worked and paid my taxes and social security. I also have 2 small children, one of them a baby, and with many expenses at home and not being able to work for so long, my debts were accumulating.
Today I finish chemotherapy and after that, I will undergo new CT scans to see how the disease has reacted to the treatment. After this, I will go to Porto for another operation. And it will still take me a while to recover providing everything goes well.
I have reached a state where asking for help is the only solution, I never wanted to do it before because I was ashamed and didn’t want to bother anyone. But now, because of my debts, monthly expenses, and no income I am appealing to all of you who have big hearts and have the goodness in them to help me through this traumatic time. I will be eternally grateful.
Bernardo Nesci.
A big thank you to everyone who can help.
For further details go to the Gofundme platform.
As of this evening €11,150 has been raised by 492 donors.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
