‘Now She Needs Us’: Fundraisers for Milagro Garel
Country director for World Pediatric Project and a 20-year advocate for children’s healthcare in Belize, Milagro Garel, remains in critical condition after suffering a ruptured cerebral aneurysm last Tuesday. Friends, family and supporters are rallying to help cover the overwhelming cost of her medical care.
This morning on Open Your Eyes, family friend Carla Ayres Musa said Garel was stabilised in Belize before being air-evacuated to a hospital in Guatemala. “She’s there now, stayed stable over the weekend, and they’ve decided to operate today, sometime between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, for what’s expected to be a six to 10-hour surgery, as it’s quite high risk,” Musa said.
For more than two decades, Garel has helped thousands of Belizean children access life-saving medical care through her work with the World Pediatric Project, Friends of Pediatrics and other community organisations.
“Everyone knows someone who knows Milagro,” Musa said. “We have thousands of people who have, in some way, been impacted by Milagro. And it’s really just her passion and her compassion to give to people.”
Musa added, “Now we’re calling on everyone to help her.”
Medical expenses are estimated at $95,000. Several fundraising initiatives have been launched to help cover the cost of emergency transportation, the surgery, hospitalisation, and follow-up care.
Leading the fundraisers is Jodi Pott; she said the activities include:
- GoFundMe campaign
- Direct donations to the Garel family
- Pop-up fundraiser at Brew this Saturday
- “Movements for Milagro”, a dance fundraiser scheduled for August 16 at 3:00 p.m. at the Bliss Centre. The event will feature performances by several dance groups from across Belize, with tickets priced at $25. Tickets can be purchased by calling 615-0935.