Support George Supang's Healing

To know him is to love him. Many of us know George and his family from growing up on Whidbey and going to school with him, or through dining on a delicious meal he’s prepared as a talented cook at local restaurants. Or maybe you know him through playing soccer with him in high school or at community pickup games, or through the Supang Soccer Camp. Maybe you know him from the local farmers’ markets where he sometimes helps his Mom Dorcas Young by cooking delicious Southern African Cuisine for her business Lesedi Farm.

George is always shining with a big heart, a laugh, a smile or a helping hand.

Truly a light he is in our community and now he could use a helping hand from us.

Early in September George was suffering from concerning neurological symptoms and was seen at Whidbey Health. He was discharged after some invasive medical procedures yet, still without answers. After his discharge his symptoms quickly progressed, and he found himself paralyzed. He returned to Whidbey Health and was transferred to Swedish Cherry Hill and was hospitalized there for several weeks in which they searched for answers. Finally, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a very rare and serious condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves. The condition tends to progressively worsen for a couple weeks after the first symptoms and reaches a plateau after about four weeks. Once recovery begins it can take up to a year to recover, and even longer for some. George has started regaining some of his mobility and is using a walker for limited walking.

He has an incredibly positive attitude and is reluctant to ask for help, but he could really use it.

As a result of his serious diagnosis, George has been unable to work and will not be able to return to his profession as a cook for some time as he slowly regains his strength and dexterity. Needless to say, his bills are piling up and he has no income. He is fortunate to have good health insurance, but there may be some medication options he’d like to explore that insurance won’t cover. Additionally, he will need ongoing treatment plus physical and occupational therapy at Swedish satellite clinics in the months to come.

The goal of this fundraiser is to make sure he has a cushion while he can’t work, access to the best treatment options, transportation to services and ultimately to take some stress off him, so that he can achieve the best healing possible and move forward with the vibrant life he deserves.