Within days of posting an appeal on social media, community members donated over $76,532 for the treatment of the elderly cancer patient and a visitor from India.
This fundraiser was started by Rajdeep Singh Dhillon whose elderly mother had to be hospitalised due to ‘sudden medical emergency’.
The need for this fund was initiated and supported by Brisbane-based Indian community representative Manjit Boparai.
In a heartfelt appeal on Facebook, Mr Dhillon mentioned how he struggled to pay for his mother’s treatment despite having a medical insurance.
“Our happiness turned into sorrow when my mother was suddenly diagnosed with the terrible disease of blood cancer, before being admitted to PA Hospital in Brisbane,” he said.
“We had medical insurance with an Australian company but they declined to cover the treatment costs on some specific grounds.”
“There’re no pre-existing medical conditions. She suddenly got sick before being diagnosed with the terrible disease of blood cancer.”
Mr Dhillon, a young migrant from Punjab, India, claims to have ‘financial difficulties’ to manage the cost of his mother’s treatment.
The funds were raised with the help of over 1900 donations. Source: Supplied
“The hospital charges over $2300 a day and so far the total cost of treatment has racked up over $75,000,” he says.
“I have a duty as a son to do anything possible to save my mother’s life,” said Mr Dhillon in a social media post.
The social media post profiling Dhillon’s cancer patient mother went viral on Facebook with more than 1400 users sharing it before the fundraiser ended on 16 October.
The funds were raised with the help of over 1900 donations.
Indian community representative Manjit Boparai also made an appeal to the local community to assist the family in this fundraiser.
He told SBS Punjabi that a collection of $76,532 surpassed the goal of $70,000 in just two days of setting this fundraiser.
“We’re very thankful to the people who have financially assisted the family when they needed it the most,” he said.
In a social media post, Mr Dhillon thanked the community for their help and financial support.
The Facebook post read - “I am really thankful to everyone from the bottom of my heart for your contributions to the fundraising for treatment of my mum.
“I am and always will be grateful for the support of the community for rest of my life.
