Jocelyn Suarez, a Filipina nurse in Singapore, was attending to inmates of Changi prison when she contracted the potentially deadly skin disease, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), causing her to experience multiple organ failures.
Believed to have been suffering the symptoms since late last year, Suarez had to be put on 24-hour dialysis and hooked up to a respirator to aid her breathing.
The 23-year-old’s treatment and stay at the Singapore General Hospital’s (SGH) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has already cost her $80,000 and the figure is expected to rise by the day, forcing her father to take up several loans.
Sympathetic friends have taken to Indiegogo to crowdsource funds for her medical expenses, even putting together a video (watch below) to educate the public on her illness and share the impact of Suarez’s work and caring personality. The campaign has so far met its target of USD30,000, 21 days before the deadline.
Home Club also hosted a fundraiser gig on Jan. 4, which saw the collection of $3,158, all going to Suarez and her family.
Response to the nurse’s situation has been torn. While many are more than willing to help a civil servant out — whatever her nationality is — others continue to find the situation questionable.
One comment on The Online Citizen (TOC) reads, “Why has her family stayed her so long without applying for a Singapore citizenship? Is the writer implying that in times of good, it’s alright for foreigners to stay here and enjoy the benefits, but when sh*t hits the fan, citizens are implored to ‘reach into our inner hearts’?”
The same reader also said, “my aid is limited and hence needs to be channeled to and prioritised for those who are more sincere in investing in a future for my home (i.e. fellow Singaporeans)”.
These comments — especially with regard to attaining Singapore citizenship and helping others regardless of race and religion — continue to be discussed on TOC.
Source: Yahoo Singapore
Photo: Jocelyn Suarez’s Facebook
