[COMMUNICATED]
“We stood before three fresh graves … I don’t want to be in the same situation again.”
Thus begins the devastating and emotional video posted this week by mother-of-14 Esther K, a woman who has experienced more suffering than most do in their lifetime. 9 of Esther’s children developed a severe genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis, which lays dormant until adolescence. Once they began getting sick, the family could only wait to see who would be healthy, and who would develop life-threatening tumors along their spinal cord.
Since the saga began, Esther has lost her husband, and three of her children. Six of the K children are currently suffering from the disorder, and are in varying states of health, ranging from moderately ill to deaf & blind. The siblings receive medical assistance from various family members, including self-proclaimed ‘head nurse’ mother Esther. Due to the rare nature of the disease, however, their treatments and surgeries, which are necessary for survival, are not covered by their health insurance.
Earlier this year, the K family opened a Chesed Fund page, where they managed to raise $20,000. The sum was significant, but unfortunately, not enough – each of the K children’s surgeries costs more than $60,000. The family has now opened another fund with a new sense of urgency, including Esther’s new video message detailing their recent trips to Germany in search of treatment.
“We cannot let something like money cost these precious neshamos their lives. They deserve to continue living, to continue filling the world with their light, to be healthy,” reads campaign text. “But I cannot give them their lives without the money. And so I am praying with all of my heart that someone will help us.”
Those who are able to donate can do so here.