This page is dedicated as an ongoing memorial to the child that touched five lives and brought them all together resulting in the formation of the Saint Stylianos Orthodox Children’s Charity Inc. In Myra’s memory, our motto has become “Healing the world, one child at a time. Saint Stylianos Orthodox Children’s Charities was the response to a plea for help in mid May of 2011. Father Hieromonk Seraphim Turland was alerted of the situation and research was done into what would be required to correct Myra’s condition. A team gathered around the Father to try and find ways to raise funds to procure life saving surgery for Myra. We learned that Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull, leading to brain swelling. Hydrocephalus means “water on the brain.” Hydrocephalus is due to a problem with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The fluid brings nutrients to the brain, takes away waste from the brain, and acts as a cushion. This buildup of fluid puts pressure on the brain, pushing the brain up against the skull and damaging or destroying brain tissues. The blockage may be surgically removed, if possible. If the blockage cannot be removed, a shunt (flexible tube) may be placed within the brain to allow CSF to flow around the blocked area. The shunt tubing travels to another part of the body, such as the abdomen, where the extra CSF can be absorbed. The cost of the surgery was researched, and Philippine pesos required amounted to around $6,000.00 in U.S. currency. We immediately began raising funds using already existing resources such as Father Seraphim’s web page, made extensive use of Facebook and Paypal. We ended up forming a charity, now known as the Saint Stylianos Orthodox Children’s Charities in order to help Myra and children like her, all the while raising funds as best as possible. In the end however, it just wasn’t enough and Myra succumbed to her condition. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the donors that gave what they could as they could. The total number of Donors was 41, with a total donation of $1,325. We fell short by $4,675. Our current fund drive is in effort to ensure that in the future, we have funds available as needed when needed so that we can avoid this circumstance with our next “Myra”.
PRESS RELEASE:
Brothers and Sisters in Christ;
It is with profound sorrow that I must inform you that the dear child, Myra P. Ramos, was this morning (05/27/2011) called by our Savior from our midst and now sits, fully healed, among the saints with her glorified body in perfect health.
Yesterday (05/26/2011) at 8:30 AM CST, we at Saint Stylianos Orthodox Children’s Charities Inc. were contacted by a frantic and exhausted Father Abe D’Iesu. Myra had been transferred to the hospital accompanied by Father Abe and her family. Complications with her condition, hydrocephaly, including infection in the cerebro spinal fluid caused her to spike a fever. In the hospital, Myra was administered dextrose and oxogen in effort to stabilize her. A battery of tests had been scheduled to be performed today. Myra, however, reposed before these tests could be run. We extend our sincerest condolences to her family, and to Father Abe.
Saint Stylianos Orthodox Children’s Charities was the response to a plea for help in mid May of 2011. Father Hieromonk Seraphim Turland was alerted of the situation and research was done into what would be required to correct Myra’s condition. A team gathered around the Father to try and find ways to raise funds to procure life saving surgery for Myra. We learned that Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull, leading to brain swelling. Hydrocephalus means “water on the brain.” Hydrocephalus is due to a problem with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The fluid brings nutrients to the brain, takes away waste from the brain, and acts as a cushion. This buildup of fluid puts pressure on the brain, pushing the brain up against the skull and damaging or destroying brain tissues. The blockage may be surgically removed, if possible. If the blockage cannot be removed, a shunt (flexible tube) may be placed within the brain to allow CSF to flow around the blocked area. The shunt tubing travels to another part of the body, such as the abdomen, where the extra CSF can be absorbed.
The cost of the surgery was researched, and Philippine pesos required amounted to around $6,000.00 in U.S. currency. We immediately began raising funds using already existing resources such as Father Seraphim’s web page, made extensive use of Facebook and Paypal. We ended up forming a charity, now known as the Saint Stylianos Orthodox Children’s Charities in order to help Myra and children like her, all the while raising funds as best as possible. In the end however, it just wasn’t enough and Myra succumbed to her condition. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the donors that gave what they could as they could. The total number of Donors was 41, with a total donation of $1,325. We fell short by $4,675. The funds were dispatched to Father Abe to ensure that the family of Myra would not be unduly saddled with debt while they grieve. The funds were used as follows:
Hospital Costs: 27,387.00 Pesos
Medication Costs: 13,875.10 Pesos
Funeral Expenses For Poor: 12,000.00 Pesos
Without these funds, the hospital would not have released Myra’s body to the family. More donations came in after Myra’s repose, however, these funds are being held until we can ascertain how the donors would like them used, or if they would like the funds returned. We would like it known that excess monies will be held in reserve as we begin our fund drive to enable us to have cash available in the future, so that we will be able to help immediately when needed, and where needed. We do not view this as a failure, rather this is a learning experience for us, and we have pledged that we will go forth from this experience with Myra as our battle cry, to “heal the world, one child at a time”.
May God bless the soul of Myra P. Ramos and accept her lovingly into his arms. May God bless Father Abe for his untiring efforts in pursuing resolution to Myra’s condition, and may God comfort those left behind.
To download a PDF copy of the the receipts for the disbursements of funds, click HERE.
To download a PDF copy of the Western Union receipt for the fund pick up by Father Abe, click HERE.
