Nalini can now get her life saving dialysis treatments

There was an outpouring of deep appreciation for life on Wednesday evening as hundreds of Guyanese from all walks of life pledged their support for Nalini Shivram, during a two hour telethon. Over $4.2 M was raised for Nalini that night. She can now get the dialysis treatments she so badly needs in order to live.

Nalini was diagnosed with renal failure in November 2007, and since then she had to get dialysis treatment three times a week. Nalini and her husband, Rasheed, have tried their best to pay for the treatments and went through various means to get them done. This included selling their home and walking door to door to raise funds. Rasheed was forced to leave his job to take care of his wife and they have since set up a small shop in their Mon Repos home to help make a livelihood. This of course, was still not enough to save Nalini’s life, since one dialysis treatment costs $36,000 and she needs twelve treatments per month. She needs these treatments until she gets a kidney donor. She expects to get a donor before the end of the year.

One of the actions taken by Nalini and her husband was standing outside the National Cultural Centre during the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference with placards that read: “Save my wife” and “Jagdeo/CARICOM, I will die within days, can’t afford dialysis.”

This prompted quick action by some public spirited citizens who organised the telethon to help save Nalini. The telethon, which was hosted by Ron Robinson, was a huge success and several businesses came forward to give their support, including two one million dollar contributions from Bish Panday and Xenon International Hotel/Pomeroon Oil Mill.

The Alliance for Change also came forward and absorbed the cost of the telethon production, and also donated $100,000 towards the treatment.

With the support of everyone who came forward, Nalini was able to restart treatment on Thursday. She is very grateful and says words cannot explain how thankful she is.

“All I wanted was to live and I am glad persons called in to support me. I am so happy and things seem brighter for me. I used to cry every day and every night and even ask God to take my life; but now I know there is a chance for me to live,” Nalini said.

Persons interested in making donations can do so by making deposits to the account set up for Nalini: Citizens Bank, Account no. 218 554 437