HELP A FAMILY EVACUATE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT!

UPDATE (11/8/2024): BIG NEWS! After being closed for 2 months, the Hammad family has a new campaign! LINK: https://gofund.me/e974621f

ADDITIONALLY: Bilal's younger sister Reem has been hospitalized with liver cirrhosis and a weakened heart muscle. Her condition is very serious. She will eventually need a liver transplant. For now, in Gaza, she is getting treatment to stabilize her liver, but there is nothing to treat her heart. She needs to afford this treatment and healthy food. Please continue to support at the new link, or Haitham's link.

Bilal has been supporting not only his family of 4, but others as well. Amira’s cancer is being treated, Hala’s eyes are being treated, Bilal maintains his regimen to treat his high blood pressure, and the family is looking for psychological help for Hassan.

Bilal’s sister Yasmine and her 2 children just moved into the same small apartment in Egypt, so their grocery and supplies bill will grow.

The sum they have raised has been wisely used for dozens of people’s survival and medical treatment. Please help Bilal, Amira, Hala, Hassan, and the many others who depend on these funds continue to get by.

The new campaign is run by another trusted friend: Betsy, who lives in Canada (the difference in country/currency is why we had to create a new one instead of transferring the existing one).

Thank you so much. For your support thus far, and please continue! Things only continue to worsen both inside Gaza and in Egypt, since Palestinians in Egypt are not given refugee status or citizenship, and are often discriminated against and exploited.

UPDATE (6/17/2024): Hi everyone. Thank you for reading this update. Bilal and his family are still getting medical treatment (as available) in Egypt. Although they’re no longer under bombardment, post evacuation life has not been easy. Their bodies and minds are still recovering from what they experienced, and there is enormous stress and anguish about their family members who remain in Gaza.

After much deliberation and with reluctance, the family has decided to increase their goal again. I say reluctance because they know that many others need support too, and feel embarrassed that they are still in need… but this is what their situation has done to them: made them feel guilty for seeking ongoing support after experiencing a genocide. The truth is, all Gazans need both immediate AND ongoing support. Rebuilding a life from nothing doesn’t happen easily. It takes a village.

We are increasing the goal again to $180,000 so that the Hammad family can access their basic needs, medical care, and can take steps to secure their future. They currently pay rent, groceries, medical treatment, clothing/toiletries/shoes, transportation, phone internet, houseware/kitchenware for their rental, and so on. It adds up quickly. And they know it will cost thousands when they're finally able to head to Canada.

So far, Hala has received treatment for her eyes and Amira has received dental work and tests to determine the best course of action for her cancer. Next, Bilal must start his treatment plan for his high blood pressure, which is dangerously high due to stress and trauma. Hassan will also need to get psychological treatment for his trauma.

We are truly astounded and grateful for your generosity and solidarity during the Hammad family’s very worst days of their lives. Just as a personal note—I feel privileged to know the Hammad family; Bilal is like a brother to me. I am deeply touched by everyone’s support. Thank you.

UPDATE (5/30/24): The family is getting their medical treatment done. Amira is having dental work and will soon resume cancer treatment. Hala is getting treated for her vision loss from the white phosphorus. They were able to get clothing, food, and temporary housing thanks to your generous donations. They have increased the goal one final time to $140,000. Truly, a family with medical needs who’s had their entire life, home, and livelihood destroyed needs much more, but they do not want to ask too much of people. As soon as Canada allows for Palestinian refugees to travel there; they want to be ready to go immediately. They thank you all so deeply for your generosity—these have been the worst days of the Hammad family’s life. And God knows it will take many years to regain any semblance of “normalcy.” Thank you for standing with Bilal, Amira, Hala, and Hassan. ❤️

UPDATE (5/7/24): BILAL, AMIRA, HALA, & HASSAN EVACUATED! ❤️ They did so on May 5, just a day before the cruel announcement that the ground invasion would be starting, thank God. They have increased the campaign goal to $130,000 and are deeply moved by everyone’s generosity. They hope to get flights and visas to Canada and begin the asylum process there ASAP. It’s sobering to realize what it means to be a refugee—building an entirely new life from scratch. Thank you everyone.

UPDATE (4/29/24): Bilal and family have increased their goal from $80,000 to $95,000 to reflect a more accurate estimate of costs to immigrate to/seek asylum in Canada—including flights, application fees, and immigration attorney for their 4 family members. The good news is that Bilal’s brother Banan has registered them with the Ya Hala travel company. They have been waiting for their names to appear on the list! Today there was terrifying bombardment in their tent camp and shrapnel hit 8 yr old Hassan. It broke skin, but luckily did cut through him. Thank God. Thank you everyone for your continued support!

UPDATE (4/16/24): The Hammad family has increased their fundraising goal from $60,000 to $80,000 for the following reasons:

—foreseen costs of medical expenses increase as their conditions, especially Hala’s (vision loss) and Amira’s (cancer and miscarriage), worsen

—anticipated costs of education for the children post-evacuation

—the ongoing exorbitant fees

We deeply thank every person who has contributed so far. It is no exaggeration to say that your funds are saving their lives. ❤️

UPDATE: Tragically, Amira miscarried on April 3, 2024. We ask for prayers for the baby, who has now joined 8 month old Kamel as a martyr in Heaven. We ask for prayers for Amira, and the whole family. The family is devastated, as are those of us who love and support them. Pray for the babies and mothers of Gaza.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5T92efubjY/?igsh=MWZxcndveHowdmcycg==

Hi, I'm Mariah. I'm in New Jersey, in the US. I am fundraising on behalf of my friend, Bilal Hammad, and his family, because this platform is not supported in their region. Bilal and I met through a mutual aid group.

Bilal and his family are in a TRULY DIRE situation—his recently-miscarried wife Amira has cancer, his daughter Hala is experiencing vision loss from white phosphorus, and all they have to shelter them is a flimsy plastic tent by the sea after being displaced from their destroyed home in Khan Younis City. Tragically, Bilal's 8 month old son was martyred in an airstrike.

Happier times for the Hammad family

Their 8 month old son, Kamel, who was martyred

In Bilal’s words:

"My family's situation is very bad. We are a family of 5. I am displaced with my children and my family as a result of the war and bombing. I am homeless in the city of Rafah. We are living in a very, very difficult situation without food and drink. My children and I are asking for merciful hearts to help us so that we can stay alive. My wife is pregnant and we live in tents in Rafah. My wife also have cancer. We are asking for help of compassionate hearts so that we may remain. We want to evacuate so that we can live a safe and happy life."

Bilal, Hassan, and Hala in front of their plastic tent

The 5 members of the Hammad family trying to flee the violence:

Happy family memories for the Hammad family

They MUST get out of Gaza for their safety NOW. Their fundraising goal of $60,000 (update: now $180,000) reflects the following ways the funds will be needed and spent:

How the funds will be securely transferred:

These funds will be collected into Mariah’s US-based bank account, then distributed to Bilal’s brother Banan in Egypt. Banan will then use the funds to register the family at Ya Hala travel agency in Cairo, which will put their names on the evacuation list. Then the family will evacuate through Rafah Crossing. (Update: Bilal’s brother Banan evacuated April 7th, and we are able to transfer the money to him)

Note:

As reported by The Guardian on Jan 8, 2024, Palestinians are being charged up to $5k-$10k per person in order to get on the list and safely cross into Egypt via the Rafah border crossing: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/jan/08/palestinians-flee-gaza-rafah-egypt-border-bribes-to-brokers

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions!

Mariah's instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/mariahpariah12?igsh=bnFrOXFsaXBycGV2&utm_source=qr

Bilal’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/abohassan7472?igsh=aWM2NWV6c3N5OTBp

Your donation of any size is deeply appreciated. PLEASE SHARE across your platforms and with family/friends. Time is of the essence!