Assist the Kusimba Family with Medical and Funeral Costs

My name is Caroline and I am reaching out with a heavy heart to share the painful story of my cousin, Kennedy Kusimba, fondly known as Boom Boom—a vibrant 38-year-old whose life was tragically cut short in Kenya.

Over two months ago, Kennedy was hospitalized for what was initially thought to be a stroke. Later, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare and debilitating condition. His suffering was unimaginable—complete paralysis from the neck down, relentless pain, and an arduous battle for survival in the ICU.

Despite the family’s tireless efforts, the cost of his care quickly became overwhelming. Daily medications required upfront payments, and the costs were staggering. Kennedy required a ventilator and a tracheotomy to breathe, and even then, his condition worsened. Sadly, after countless interventions, a nerve conduction test revealed his nerves were unresponsive. Doctors determined it was unlikely he had GBS but could not identify the true cause of his illness.

While GBS is often debilitating, many patients can make a full recovery with proper care. However, in Kennedy’s case, the prognosis was devastating: permanent paralysis from the neck down. Tragically, he passed away the day after receiving this diagnosis, likely losing hope while contemplating such a challenging future.

Today, the family is not only grieving his loss but is also burdened by a staggering hospital balance of Kes 1,260,000 (roughly $10,000). This is the remaining portion of the total hospital bill after the family had already paid significant amounts over the past couple of months, exhausting their savings and resources in the process. They have managed to raise Kes 311,000 so far, but significant costs remain. Adding to this are the funeral expenses, estimated at Kes 740,000 (approximately $6,000). The combined total was Kes 2,000,000 ($16,000), but with the amount already raised, the remaining balance is Kes 1,689,000 ($13,500).

To make matters worse, the hospital will not release Kennedy’s body for burial until the remaining balance is paid in full. Public health insurance in Kenya has not covered any part of the costs, leaving the family to bear this crushing financial weight alone.

We are humbly appealing for your help. Every contribution, no matter the size, will bring us closer to settling this debt, allowing us to lay Kennedy to rest with the dignity he deserves. Your support would also offer his family a chance to begin the long journey toward healing.

For those unable to provide monetary assistance, please consider sharing this story—it could make a world of difference.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity during this heartbreaking time.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Caroline Opiyo.