Help With Bhante's Health
Dear Friends, since the last retreat held in Sri Lanka in February, Bhante Ānanda has been experiencing increasingly challenging symptoms: nervous system hypersensitivity, distortion of spatial awareness, nausea, dizziness, focal seizures…
Bhante spent weeks researching his symptoms and began to suspect a parasitic infection. After consulting with many doctors, countless blood tests, a visit to the emergency room in the middle of the night, MRI and EEG tests, he was finally diagnosed with neurotoxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that had spread to the brain and central nervous system, caused by eating undercooked meat or consuming contaminated food or water. The diagnosis confirmed his suspicions, that he likely picked up a parasite while going for alms in rural and poor areas of India.
Neurotoxoplasmosis is a rare infection that, if left untreated, can be fatal. Thankfully, Bhante is now undergoing treatment – 6 weeks of high dose antibiotics, steroids, and monitoring of organ functioning. He is now slowly starting to feel better.
Over the past month, just over $2000 CAD has been spent on medical expenses, food and transportation and there is a bit more to come. We will update the tables below as new medical expenses are addressed and donations are received. You are welcomed to have a look again in a week or more.
With a wish to keep retreat donations for future retreats, we would like to invite anyone who would like to lend their support for Bhante’s recent medical needs to consider making a donation below.
We deeply value your support and rejoice in your generosity.
Anumodanā 🙂
-Anagarika Sarah
***Please note that all retreats are still happening as planned. ***
There is no cancellation of any event.
Donations Page
For more information on ways to donate and support Bhante, please visit the donations page.
Medical Expenses
| Expenses | CAD | LKR |
| Medical Expenses (Sarah) | 1656.48$ | 342,988.34 |
| Transport | 125$ | 26,926.18 |
| eChanneling Doctors Appointments (Naveen) | 132.46$ | 28,534.09 |
| Medicinal Requisites Ordered (Naveen) | 332.40$ | 71,602 |
| Total | 2246.30$ | 470,050.61 |
| Final Tests (Doctors Appointments + MRI + EEG + Blood tests + Transport + Accommodation) | 1,358.12$ | 298,580.49 |
| International Medical Travel Insurance for Bhante’s visit to Canada (4 months) and Australia retreat (1 month). | 500$ | 108,800.00 |
| Additional Total | 1858.12$ | 408,504.68 |
| Grand Total (Expenses on the Onset + Final Expenses) | 4104.42$ | 902,350.11 |
Included in the medical expenses are:
- Bhante’s Nighttime Admission at the Emergency
- An extensive amount of blood tests
- All doctors’ appointments*
- 2 x MRI (without contrast & with contrast)
- 2 x EEG Testing
- Medications
- Accommodation in Kandy
- Food during stays in Kandy
*Many doctors were faithful Buddhists who refused to take money for their services to a monastic, and they refunded their appointment. Their offering was also very valuable!
Donations Received
| CAD | |
| Donor #1 | 200$ |
| Donor #2 | 100$ |
| Donor #3 | 300$ |
| Donor #4 | 300$ |
| Donor #5 | 300$ |
| Donor #6 | 450$ |
| Donor #7 | 100$ |
| Donor #8 | 100$ |
| Donor #9 | 150$ |
| Donor #10 | 300$ |
| Donor #11 | 400$ |
| Donor #12 | 200$ |
| Donor #13 | 300$ |
| Donor #14 | 100$ |
| Donor #15 | 250$ |
| Donor #16 | 200$ |
| Donor #17 | 250$ |
| Donor #18 | 50$ |
| Donor #19 | 100$ |
| Donor #20 | 50$ |
| Total 🙏 | 4,200$ |
Bhante was nearly hospitalized and needed to remain close to the hospital for roughly 8 days for constant follow up and appointments. A kind couple hosted him at their B&B for free during those 8 days. Although, some expenses were incurred for meals and other small requisites during the stay, moving in and out of the hospital.
