San Zaw Htway Medical Fund
Donation protected
San Zaw Htway is one of the most amazing people you will ever be lucky enough to meet. He is an artist, a poet, a counselor, and was a political prisoner for 12 years (1999-2012) for taking part in protests at university. While in prison he started making art using the only materials he could find - plastic bags and other prison garbage. Since his release he has continued to make beautiful collages using recycled materials. He has traveled around Burma teaching young people how to create art and inspiring them to express themselves. He bravely continues to use performance and art installations to call for peace and an end to injustice in Burma.
San Zaw Htway's spirt, kindness, and love of life make each day more magical. He helped to make my wedding the most unforgettable day of my life and I always dreamed I would be able to return the favor someday. He knows how to find beauty in small and everyday things, and see the best in all people and situations. He often puts the care of other people in front of his own. It is time for us to return the favor.
He has been diagnosed with advanced liver cancer brought on from wretched prison conditions (lack of adequate food and medical care), and abysmal health care after release. San Zaw Htway is receiving treatment at the Pin Lon hospital in Rangoon but is also interested in trying a new treatment called immunotherapy, which is not currently available in Burma. He has found a hospital in Singapore to provide the treatment but the Burmese doctors feel that he is currently not well enough to travel. We will keep you updated but as of last night San Zaw Htway is hoping to be well enough soon to travel to Singapore.
This fund will be used for to help San Zaw Htway get the immunotherapy that he desires if it is possible. If he is not able to travel (or decides not to pursue immunotherapy) the funds will be used to cover his hospital costs in Rangoon.
I set up this fund at the request of international friends of San Zaw Htway who wanted to make donations from abroad. My name is Polly Dewhirst and I am an American living in Rangoon. My Burmese husband Chit Min Lay and I are close friends of San Zaw Htway, and consider him part of our chosen family. I have bank accounts in both the US and Burma and will transfer the money that you donate to this Fund from the Go Fund Me We Pay account to my US bank account and on to my Burma bank account. I will then transfer the money in cash directly to San Zaw Htway and his family. I am hoping to do that soon because I know that it may take many days for the money to move through international banking systems. If you have any more questions about this campaign, I would be happy to answer anything.
This Fund is just one part of a larger fundraising campaign for San Zaw Htway. His Burmese friends, particularly fellow activists from the 96/98 generation, have set up a Facebook fundraising page called Funds Needed for San Zaw Htwe's Liver Cancer Treatment. They have already received many donations in cash and through a Burmese bank acount. Details are available on Facebook.
San Zaw Htway's artist friends are also raising funds through art sales. Well know Burmese artist Ko Htein Lin is conducting an auction of a painting that he did of San Zaw Htway. There will also be an art show in Rangoon this weekend (1-3 December) at the Pansodan Scene. Art by San Zaw Htway and his artist friends will be available for purchase with proceeds going to San Zaw Htway. I will share the links for these as soon as I figure out how to paste them over from Facebook!
Patrick Pierce, another friend of San Zaw Htway's, has set up a bank account in Thailand to accept donations from friends in the Southeast Asia region. He will also deliver the funds he receives to San Zaw Htway and his family.
If you have photos of San Zaw Htway or his art, please send them to me to on Facebook and I will try to post here. I will try to add the ones you sent tonight after work!




San Zaw Htway's spirt, kindness, and love of life make each day more magical. He helped to make my wedding the most unforgettable day of my life and I always dreamed I would be able to return the favor someday. He knows how to find beauty in small and everyday things, and see the best in all people and situations. He often puts the care of other people in front of his own. It is time for us to return the favor.
He has been diagnosed with advanced liver cancer brought on from wretched prison conditions (lack of adequate food and medical care), and abysmal health care after release. San Zaw Htway is receiving treatment at the Pin Lon hospital in Rangoon but is also interested in trying a new treatment called immunotherapy, which is not currently available in Burma. He has found a hospital in Singapore to provide the treatment but the Burmese doctors feel that he is currently not well enough to travel. We will keep you updated but as of last night San Zaw Htway is hoping to be well enough soon to travel to Singapore.
This fund will be used for to help San Zaw Htway get the immunotherapy that he desires if it is possible. If he is not able to travel (or decides not to pursue immunotherapy) the funds will be used to cover his hospital costs in Rangoon.
I set up this fund at the request of international friends of San Zaw Htway who wanted to make donations from abroad. My name is Polly Dewhirst and I am an American living in Rangoon. My Burmese husband Chit Min Lay and I are close friends of San Zaw Htway, and consider him part of our chosen family. I have bank accounts in both the US and Burma and will transfer the money that you donate to this Fund from the Go Fund Me We Pay account to my US bank account and on to my Burma bank account. I will then transfer the money in cash directly to San Zaw Htway and his family. I am hoping to do that soon because I know that it may take many days for the money to move through international banking systems. If you have any more questions about this campaign, I would be happy to answer anything.
This Fund is just one part of a larger fundraising campaign for San Zaw Htway. His Burmese friends, particularly fellow activists from the 96/98 generation, have set up a Facebook fundraising page called Funds Needed for San Zaw Htwe's Liver Cancer Treatment. They have already received many donations in cash and through a Burmese bank acount. Details are available on Facebook.
San Zaw Htway's artist friends are also raising funds through art sales. Well know Burmese artist Ko Htein Lin is conducting an auction of a painting that he did of San Zaw Htway. There will also be an art show in Rangoon this weekend (1-3 December) at the Pansodan Scene. Art by San Zaw Htway and his artist friends will be available for purchase with proceeds going to San Zaw Htway. I will share the links for these as soon as I figure out how to paste them over from Facebook!
Patrick Pierce, another friend of San Zaw Htway's, has set up a bank account in Thailand to accept donations from friends in the Southeast Asia region. He will also deliver the funds he receives to San Zaw Htway and his family.
If you have photos of San Zaw Htway or his art, please send them to me to on Facebook and I will try to post here. I will try to add the ones you sent tonight after work!
Organizer
Polly Dewhirst
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY