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Help Berni Walk Again!

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Hello! I'm raising donations for Berni Hernandez (16 years old) to help her walk again. I met Berni and her family when they lived and worked on my family's farm in Uruguay. They are very hard working, and humble people and they've been fighting for Berni's health for the last 7 years.  


THE BACKSTORY
Berni was diagnosed with bone cancer (Osteosarcoma) in 2013 when she was 9 years old. Everything started when she started to limp so her Mom took her to see a traumatologist. He said that everything was ok, and sent her home. A few months went by and Berni was still limping. They visited the Traumatologist a couple more times and finally convinced him to take a X-Ray. He was completely shocked after seeing the images of Berni's leg.


The traumatologist confirmed that Berni actually had a large tumor on her right femur bone. As a result, he said that Berni needed a leg amputation. Her parents wouldn't accept this as the only solution. They met with Berni's Primary Care Physician for a second opinion. The PCP reached out to the Traumatologist to get more information and to try and find another solution.


After consulting with the Traumatologist and PCP, they were informed that the cost of surgery would be US$ 30,000. Berni's parents were willing to try anything to save their daughters leg. 


After huge effort to find the money from fundraising and donations, they travelled to Argentina for surgery. Berni received a total femur custom prosthesis and tumor removal. In addition to the surgery, she had to go through chemotherapy and rehab to re-learn how to walk with the prosthesis, and to make sure the tumor was 100% gone. This was a 2 year process for Berni.







In 2016, one day while swimming, she noticed a problem with her leg. Her prosthesis broke. As a result, she had to travel (again) to Argentina to get yet another surgery. She recovered well and a couple years later, in 2018, she was able to celebrate her "Fiesta de Quince" (15th Birthday party) which is a big deal in Spanish culture (You can learn more about it here).






A couple weeks ago, she was cleaning her floor and slipped, injuring her leg (again). Since then, she has not been able to walk. The doctors told her that the prosthesis needed to be replaced. This means: another trip to Argentina (a long 8 hour drive), another surgery (this would be the 3rd one), more rehab, and the cost of her treatment (which her family doesn’t have). Not to mention that all of this is happening during a pandemic! 


Berni's family is working tirelessly to raise money. They are making and selling pasta and organizing community fundraisers. 


Berni is hoping to walk again, and you can help her!

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donating any amount of money, everything counts!
To help get the word out, you can share the link to your Facebook Timeline, or via WhatsApp, Instagram, etc.

THE COSTS (100% of them out of pocket, can't afford a medical insurance in Argentina and in Uruguay at the same time)

Prosthesis US$10,000  
Surgeon fee US$10,000
Anesthetist fee US$ 2,000
Traveling fees US$ 2,000*

TOTAL  US$ 24,000

*(Apartment rental fee for 14 days - they have to stay for 14 days because of COVID19)

With much gratitude,
Maria
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $10 
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 4 yrs
  • Jesse Womack
    • $500 
    • 4 yrs
  • Linda Clarkson
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

Maria Olivera
Organizer
New York, NY

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