As some of you may know, I am deeply involved in a project on the Island of Koh Tao, in Thailand. Many of you helped me raise an amazing amount of money for my Not For Profit School, Koh Tao International Primary. There is however, one little girl that is missing from the school and now that she is old enough, we would really love her to join. Unfortunately, she is very sick and hasn’t been able to live on the island for a long time.
Isla was still 2 years old when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in March 2016. After 8 months of torturous procedures and chemotherapy, baby Isla was in remission Dec 2016, but this only lasted 10 weeks. Her parents, Andrea and Jim had to face it all over again. Isla’s older sister, Lulu, had to be sent to New Zealand to be with family, as it had become impossible to live a normal life. How do you tell a 3-year old that they have to go through all of that again?
I asked Jim what his expenses were like. I thought I would just quote him here, because there is no eloquent way to put it:
“Our Insurance covers us for Inpatient… Outpatient we have to pay everything… All tests, transfusions & consultations. A blood transfusion is 47,000THB (US$1,342) a transfusion! Sometimes she needs 2 a week for a month. A Consultation is 8,000THB (US$228) once a week & post chemo toxicology test was 50,000THB (US$1,427)… The donor for the stem cell test is 10,000THB (US$285.50) a test, just to find the appropriate donor- we needed 3… The donor op is 10,000Euro (US$10,556) plus costs for inpatient fee… Heaps of vitamin supplements, health food supplements… Other costly factors not considered- Organic only produce fruit & veg, organic cotton clothing & natural cleaning products…We haven’t had an income for a year now & had to pay for Lulus school fees, rent in Samui & Bangkok we’ve spent 2.5million THB (US$71,408) from our savings & another 1.5m THB (US$42,844) in charitable contributions…”
It is a huge amount of money and the doctors have said that the next 12 months could reach the US$100,000 mark in medical expenses alone. It is getting increasingly difficult for Isla’s parents to focus on their daughter while they have this financial burden hanging over their heads. The confronting truth is though, by donating any sum of money, big or small, you are contributing to treatments that could save Isla’s life.
We have teamed up with Jo Garfein, co-founder and executive director of Cancer Gets LOST. Jo and I strongly believe in channeling fans toward the greater good, and in the power of positivity in fan communities. I have signed (and some of The 100 co-stars) some merchandise to raise money for Isla. 100%of the proceeds will be donated to this fundraiser! You can find the AUCTION LINKS BELOW.
I’m reaching out to you all once more for help. Any small amount of money you can spare could change her life and the life of her family. I want Isla at school where she belongs, please help me make it happen.
The Doctor Is Out 