Message to all the earth bound Angels:
Save baby Marko
I am writing this plea for help on behalf of my brother�s son, my nephew, Marko Mihelic. My brother, his wife, two sons, and my mother live on my family�s working farm in rural Croatia. As I was growing up there, we lived in a house with dirt floors, and only in recent years have we built a more modern home with better conveniences, but they by no means measure up to American, or other European farming standards. My family subsists from a small income derived from milk cows, some livestock and their hay pasture.
My husband and two sons visited the family on their farm this past summer. When we met Marko he was 6 months old. He had the look of an angel. He has chubby little cheeks and a contagious smile. To celebrate Marko�s Christening, friends of the family in Croatia traveled from near and far. It was a joyous occasion.
At that time no one knew that Marko was hiding a secret that would threaten his life. Soon after that joyous event, Marko became ill with respiratory infection that would not clear up after many rounds of antibiotics. His cough was endless and he was losing weight rapidly. Two weeks before Christmas Marko struggled with breathing. Tests determined a diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis. Marko�s family was shocked when they learned that Cystic fibrosis can be a fatal genetic disease, and that without the proper medical treatment Marko might not survive.
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, leads to infection, and blocks the pancreas, which stops digestive enzymes from reaching the intestine where they are required in order to digest food.
The following two weeks were very difficult for Marko and his family as he struggled for his life in Intensive care unit of Children�s Hospital in Croatia. There is only one Cystic Fibrosis Specialist in all of Croatia, and specialized care and medication is not available in Croatia. Marko�s prognosis for survival looks very grim. The treating Physician requested Tobramycin nebuliser solution (TOBI�). This nebulised antibiotic treatment is known to be the most effective treatment for Pseudomonas, a bacterium that eventually destroys the lung tissue of patients with Cystic Fibrosis.
TOBI� is widely available in the US, but due to the high cost of the medication, it is not offered through state run medical in Croatia, and in many other European countries. TOBI� is not banned or illegal in Croatia, it simply is not available.
A few days ago Marko was released from the hospital with the Doctors recommendation to get the Tobramycin nebuliser solution (TOBI�) as soon as possible. As I write this letter Marko�s family is struggling emotionally and financially realizing that the cost of medication exceeds all of their assets. My hope is that after you read this letter first and foremost you will send prayer to Marko and the family, and second if you are able, donate money for the purchase of medication to save Marko. A single ampoule of Tobramycin is priced at $100. Marko needs an initial treatment of 2 ampoules per day for at least 15 days, amounting to a cost of $3,000.00 and to have more on hand for further treatment.
An innovation for sufferers of Cystic Fibrosis is a device called The Vest� system manufactured by Hill-Rom. It is widely used in the US, and is also approved and sold for use in Europe. We have contacted the Hill-Rom European sales office for information about cost. The Vest is guaranteed for life, regardless of the patient�s age. It costs $16,000 in the US, but the company reports that it is less expensive in the European market. We are hoping to obtain a system for Marko to assist him in living with the disease in the best way possible.
Our first challenge is to raise between $3K and $4K for the purchase and safe delivery of the Tobramycin nebuliser solution (TOBI�) to Marko in Croatia. His physician will administer it to him there.
Our next challenge is to gain a VEST system from Hill-Rom at additional cost, and enough money for the family to travel to Munich to culture Marko after his initial treatment, and hopefully, train them on using the VEST if we have success in obtaining one for him.
Please make the difference. Please help save Marko so he is able to celebrate his second birthday with hope.
Marko Mihelic� family:
Father � Miro, Mother � Snjezana Brother - Matija Grandma - Marija
Thank you for considering Marko, and assisting in any way you can help.
Sincerely,
Serenata
The donation should be sent to "Pilgrim's Peace Center" with the note (for Marko). Pilgrim's Peace Center is a non profit organization committed in saving lives of children in third world countries such as Croatia. Tax deductible receipt will be provided.
Pilgrims' Peace Center
Directors: Mike and Sandy Tobin
431 NE 1st Terrace
Crystal River, FL 34429
Phone: 352.564.2463
Fax: 352.564.8463
PS: We just found out that Marko's older brother Matija is also diagnosed as carrier of CF.
