Testimonial for Jamatkhana & for the Ismaili Community in Canada

Ya Ali Madad,

One of the strengths of our community is when one of us is ailing, we can always count on others to be there to assist in a time of need (& I believe faith grants us the opportunity to serve)

My name is rahim ladha. I live & work in Toronto & I am speaking with you today about my brother Salim.

Salim is 54 years old. For the last eighteen months, he’s been enduring Stage 4 Cirrhosis of the Liver. He’s been on the transplant list for over a year. Without a liver transplant soon, he will die.

We don’t know why he has Cirrhosis. Salim doesn’t drink or do drugs so it may be an undiagnosed autoimmune or genetic disorder. Whatever the cause, Salim has always treated his body with care & respect even as he has dealt with all sorts of medical challenges throughout his life.

In 1994, when our father died, Salim was diagnosed with cancer the very same month & almost died as well, but he fought through it and against the odds, after months of hard treatment, he survived.

Cancer in 1994, in comparison, was a minor skirmish to the battle he is fighting now. The very treatment that could save him he cannot receive without the bravery of one of you who can step forward today to save his life, as a living liver donor.

It might seem like an intimidating process to become a living liver donor, but the risk is minimal & the recovery time from surgery is usually a few weeks long, and there are various programs across the country designed to look after you should you take this brave step.

Let’s go with the specifics first when it comes to Salim.

The key point to understand is that you have to be between the ages of 18-60, you have to have any blood type in the B or O blood group & in your application, you have to name a specific recipient for a tiny portion of your liver. It must be emphasized - your liver should regenerate as you continue to recover.

Your assessment to be a candidate will also mean a series of tests & questions about your medical history. For your safety, they need to make sure that you’re healthy enough for the procedure so that your recovery goes smoothly.

You do not have to live in Toronto for this process or procedure. If you live all the way across the country but you’re a healthy candidate to be a living liver donor to Salim, your travel expenses & accommodations will be paid for.

No parent should have to bury their child. I do not want that to happen for my mom. And as someone who has spent a lifetime in helping others, if I may be permitted to be selfish for a moment – I want to be able to save Salim’s life so that I can get back to doing the work for others that Salim needs for us to do for him, right now.

This message will be shared on many platforms, so I hope you see a link where you can sign up to be tested online or through your local jamatkhanas.

You will also see a link to a website we’ve put up for Salim where you can contact me directly as well, should you wish. But I want to emphasize – signing up through jamatkhana is important to us, as it allows you the opportunity to not feel pressured should you start the process but for one reason or another you have to withdraw your name from consideration to be a living liver donor. Confidentiality & respect for your wishes in this process is very important to me & our family

The fundraiser we have set up is for his rent, monthly bills, food & medication. Salim has had to take a considerable amount of time off from work (which itself can be financially stressful for anyone). Even in a country with universal healthcare, serious illness can be financially challenging to navigate & now that he’s on long-term disability from work, he’s receiving only a fraction of his regular paycheque, at the end of the month.

I want to make sure that the last thing he has to worry about is his finances. His primary job, while we search for a living liver donor, is to stay alive - I want all of his energy to be focused on that.

If you have any questions, trust the leaders of your local jamatkhana & do not hesitate to ask them anything. I’ve been blessed to see how well everyone works behind the scenes to communicate quickly, efficiently & with care.

It gives me great hope, then, that through our collective effort we can save not only Salim’s life, but many others in our community who may need help like this in the times ahead. Salim can be an example of what we can do for each other when we come together & do the work required to save his life.

May every one of you receiving this message be blessed with health, happiness & hope in the times ahead & I thank you for taking a moment out of your day, to listen.

Peace be upon you.

rahim

To contribute to the Fundraiser for Salim while he waits for his liver tranplant, click on the button below