We need your help for Raffy's heart surgery.

Thank you for your time in looking at Raffy's story. We knock at your generous hearts to give a little for Raffy and his family.

Raffy (Referendo Serna) came to New Zealand in 2015 full hope that he could be able to provide a better future for his family. He is from Isabela, Philippines and was working as concrete pump operator before he was diagnosed with a heart ailment late 2019 when he was asked to do a medical examination for his working visa renewal application. He and his pregnant wife then was really devastated upon hearing the news. He also suffered a mild heart attack in September and was later on advised to get an angioplasty in order to get a visa renewal before he could get back to work.

Raffy has been out of job since October last year and was being supported by his pregnant wife but later was forced to go back to the Philippines before the lockdown to give birth to their very first child and because her partnership visa was about to expire. Raffy was given an interim visa and has been supported by his employer and close friends to survive on his day-to-day living.

Raffy is well-liked by his peers and employer because of his hardwork and perseverance. He is also loved by his friends for being dependable, helpful and his selfless love for his wife and his newly born son who miraculously came after 18 years of being married.

He considered his present condition as the most challenging battle he has to face. He said that it was his dream to come to New Zealand to be able to provide for his family but without getting the surgery, he will not be able to go back to work.

Raffy has outsourced his savings with all his medical check-ups, follow-ups and medications. Because of his work visa status, he is not qualified and is not receiving any medical/health subsidy from the NZ Public Health System and this is the reason we are helping him.

He was given a Coronary Angiogram & Proceed to Angioplasty fee estimate by the Heart Centre @ St. George's in Christchurch of $18,940.00 which includes the hospital and clinician charges and allows for one night accommodation and the use of angioplasty balloons and guide wires. The cost of coronary stents, platelet inhibitor drugs and follow up on specialist are not included. It is the lowest estimate he got for the procedure he needs to undergo.

Apart from going back to work and getting a renewal working visa, it is our desire to help him get the procedure to be able to live longer for his family. We are therefore humbly knocking at you generous hearts to help him raise it so he could go back to work and fulfill his humble desire to provide for his family and be a great father and husband.

Again, sincerest thanks for the magnanimity of your heart and may you be a blessing to Raffy and be blessed in return.