Help Valentina fight Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Valentina Dhakal, 20, is a selfless volunteer who has touched many lives doing countless volunteer hours in many organizations like Nepali American Community Center (NACC), Nepal America Journalists’ Association (NEAJA), Isha Foundations, and others.

Valentina, a Virginia resident, and active community member, had a tragic accident on August 14th while volunteering at Isha Foundation in McMinnville, TN. She was rushed to the nearest hospital after the incident. She is currently in Erlanger Medical Center Chattanooga TN where she has undergone two brain surgeries and is fighting for her life in a coma.

According to the doctors treating her, she has a long way ahead on medical treatment and will have to be admitted to TBI rehabilitation center for at least 1 year.

Although she has medical insurance from Kaiser Permanente, her special treatment most likely will be outside the network and coverage will be limited at best. Valentina and the Dhakal family have a very long road ahead of them and there are still many unknowns and costs that will be ongoing with no foreseeable end. 100% of this fundraiser's proceeds will go directly to her parent's account to pay out her medical bills as she fights to get back on her feet.

Valentina had participated in numerous yoga training from Isha Foundation before signing up for volunteer services there. We are also trying to reach Isha Foundation to see where and how they can help the family during these difficult times.

Valentina is a freshman computer science student at Northern Virginia Community College and lives with her 14-year-old brother, Alish, Father Ashok Dhakal, and mother, Lila Ojha Dhakal (Regional Coordinator DC Metro Area, NEAJA), in Burke, Virginia. She has her extended family member back in Nepal.

Please help Valentina and her family during this immensely difficult time

This fundraiser is organized by NRNA VA Chapter with support from NEAJA, NACC, INNJA, and NRNA TN Chapter.