My friend Obeid’s 2 children

A few years ago I was on one of my many humanitarian trips. This time to Uganda. I was traveling to many remote villages teaching about Feminine periods, Cycle beads and “Days for Girls” pads.

A young reporter, Lutale Obeid, who works for Uganda’s Bukedde TV station was traveling with me and documented my trip to show a report on tv.

As we traveled I learned of his 2 sons who both suffer from Sickle cell disease. I learned of the many times he has had to spend all his savings on buying blood to give the boys a blood transfusion.

They are getting worse!!! Their visits to the hospital is becoming more and more frequent. They need a full bone marrow transplant in order to survive. The doctors have ok’ed the surgery, we just need the funds. $40.000 per child. A crazy amount we cannot reach alone.

If you at all can help this cause it is greatly appreciated. We are all trying to do what we can but need your help please.

I have attached the letter Obeid sent out so you can get the details in his own words. Please, these boys will die without the surgery. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

Hello Sir/Madam,

Hope this email finds you well. My name is Obeid Lutale (37yrs), I’m a Ugandan by birth. I work at New Vision Printing and Publishing Company Uganda Ltd as a journalist. I am the father of Bisaso Abubaker Lutale (10yrs) and Leith Lutale (6yrs). Both of whom were diagnosed with sickle cell anameia at birth. I have had a very hard time for the last 10 years, managing day to day life and looking after my two sons who are sicklers. Since I am the only earning member of my family with a stay at home wife who’s currently looking after our newborn 5 months baby, I am struggling financially to ensure that Leith and Bisaso get the best treatment, education and welfare since their life is extremely expensive. Only Leith and Bisaso need $10250 a year to cover their medication/treatments on time, have a healthy diet daily to maintain their immune system since their foods are expensive, keep warm: that is have plenty of jackets, socks, gloves and hydrate always, have a place to call home, which place I’m paying rent for as well as security and Bills every month at $400. I have financially and mentally been strained and I kindly request any kind support from anywhere to help me walk this journey. I buy medication weekly for both children i.e. hydroxyurea, Rectals for pain, folic acid, vitamin tablets, iron, argumentim among others, I am in and out of hospitals due to infections, checkups every two to three weeks and have IV fluid replacement done.

I have been advised by the doctors that I can do a Bone marrow transplant which is very costly at $40.000 per child of which I can't afford. With the influenza outbreak in schools, this has made the situation even worse. I’ve been in and out of hospital with Leith who suffered a severe infection and had a crisis too which left him very skinny almost to the bone. He has been in hospital several times where he was given multiple pain medications due to his condition, blood transfusion among others, followed by out patient medication and this was very costly that until now I haven't been able to clear the debt on top of the usual routine. Soon after Abubaker fell sick too and we were back to hospital for outpatient treatment which was costly as well. Abubaker and Leith have to drink water and fresh juice on a daily, I purchase so many fruits to make juice on a daily or eat, for them to boost up their immunity, buy groceries among others which are costly with the cost of living going high. The children also have a caretaker who helps their mum and she is paid monthly.

I am writing this email to request for your support/assistance: financial assistance, donations of any kind or anything you think can be of use in any way for my children.

I pray that God allows you to do so in any capacity and I will appreciate your response in this regard.

Kind regards

Obeid Lutale

Email: [email redacted]

DAD