It’s easy to become desensitized by the large amount of scam emails and chain letters that have bombarded us in recent years, but despite this onslaught, we can’t ignore the legitimate needs that still exist (such as Juvenile Diabetes). People really are going through some insurmountable situations and are sometimes pressed to rely on the care and help of strangers who are willing to lend a hand.
A friend recently shared with us about his cousin, Michael Bibbo, age 17, who was diagnosed with severe progressive primary lymphedema and chylous lymphangiodysplasia with intestinal lymphangiectasia in December 2009.
Although not knowing anything about this illness, from their website, pictures of Michael show some of the physical manifestations of this illness. The family also shares a detailed biography on Michael, the events that have taken place up to this point, and more details about his illness and what Michael faces if he does not get the surgery for which they are working so hard to raise the funds.
Here is what Michael is facing:
“Michael’s condition has progressively worsened in the last year and one half since diagnosis, and he has fears what the future holds for him. Without surgery he will be susceptible to life threatening infections, loss of limb, and loss of life. He has participated in all treatment measures available in the USA without improvement. Surgery for primary lymphedema is not available in the USA.”
His treating physician, Kathleen Francis, M.D., has referred him to Prof. Corradino Campisi in Genoa, Italy, for derivative lymphatic venous microsurgery to bypass obstructed lymphatics with lymphatico-venous anastomoses. Prof. Campisi is a world renowned authority in lymphedema and lymphatic microsurgery and is one of only a few physicians in the world performing this specialized microsurgery. Prof. Campisi believes the procedure must be performed as soon as possible due the staging of Michael’s lymphedema.”
Support Michael In His Fight Against Primary Lymphedema
According to the website, Michael’s medical expenses will exceed $90,000 – and that is not including travel expenses and accommodations for the required month stay in Italy. He leaves for Italy on 6/25/11 and will meet with Prof Campisi on 6/27/11, with the surgery scheduled to follow in the next few weeks.
For any questions, please contact the family through their website. I have noticed they are active in responding to questions and comments left there. They do have a PayPal link located there and also a PO Box:
The Michael N. Bibbo Surgery Fund
P.O. Box 364
Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033
When you make a donation, please be sure to reference “KNS Financial”, so we can all know how wonderful my readers really are! Anything you can do to help Michael and this family, I am sure will be a blessing to them.
Even if you are not able to give, please take a few minutes to share this with everyone that you know (through email, Facebook, Twitter, etc)!
photo taken from http://thebibbofund.com
© 2011, Sherrian Crumbley. All rights reserved.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
What a sad read. I hope Michael has made it through this horrible experience. It is good to read things like this and to see what people are going through. This is the real fight and any time you feel like you have gotten it rough, there is someone else out there going through so much more and working ten times harder then you are.
Thank you for posting this article to assist us in fundraising. We truly appreciate the support we’ve received from friends, family, and our community. Just to clarify something in the article, the date posted is incorrect. Even though all of our funding is not in place, we will leave for Genoa, Ialy on 6/25/11. Our first meeting with the Prof. Campisi is scheduled for 6/27/11. According to the treatment plan proposed, Michael’s surgery will take place during the second week of July, the exact day has not been set but will be once we arrive. We are committed to getting Michael this surgery. Our plan is to raise as much money as we can through fundraisers and borrow the rest. His life depends on it. Thank you for your support!
Hello Michael & Lisa, I really hope that this article is able to help raise funds. Since Ermanno is my brother in Christ, I immediately wanted to do something to help.
I made the corrections on the date. Let me know if you would like me to include anything else!
It’s great to see you, and others, use the blog format to help others. I hope Michael gets the treatment he needs and makes a healthy recovery.
Thanks Hunter, I appreciate the support!
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