My friend Lanie's niece, Rulaine Geronimo, who's just 11 years old was diagnosed with brain cancer last August and just a little over a month, Rulaine had already gone to be with our Lord. The family was devastated. They already lost a life and their bill in the hospital had since skyrocketed to $12,000. Here's what's even more stressful --- They were able to get Rulaine out of the hospital to the funeral home but the hospital won't release Rulaine's death certificate until Lanie's family are able to pay the balance which is still, I think, around $10,000. The funeral home has given them only until Sunday this week to accommodate them or else they will be paying additional $112 per day until they get Rullaine's body buried or cremated. How can this be done without the death certificate? They don't have insurance coverage.
Dear friends, I appeal to you to please pray for my friend Lanie and if God leads you to make a financial donation of any amount, it will be very much appreciated. Your donation will definitely be a huge help for Lanie's family. I have set up a donation button at the lower left side of this page. I will be accepting donations on their behalf using my Paypal account for now. Please do email me if you made a donation. I would like to make sure that everything is properly accounted for. I will give Lanie the list of names of everyone who prayed and gave. I found this request over at Pia's blog, please pray for this dear family, and help them financially if you are able. God bless them.
13 comments:
What a sad situation. I can't give anything financially, but I will pray for this family.
Having lost my son recently I am in no financial situation to help. Has the family contacted the state for help. In my state the actual paid for my son's cremation. This was not my desire to have him cremated, but I had no choice. She might also contact legal aid to see if it is legal for the hospital to hold the body. I will pray for the family and that they will get some financial assistance and much needed support in this time of loss. Nothing is worse than losing your child!
Denise, I don't believe it is legal for a hospital to retain a death certificate due to pending medical bills. I don't know the details but am very sure of this. Medical bills can be set up to be paid at whatever amount a person can--even %5 per month and a death certificate is not even theirs to issue. It is typically released by the county. I would seek advise from someone who may know this in full detail. I will pray for your friends.
I so wish I felt like I could help, but have just had to buy my mother a new hearing aid--which was $2700. When we lost our daughter 12 years ago, thankfully, we had a life insurance policy on her--or her husband could not have afforded her burial. I'm so sorry--and I WILL commit to pray for this dear family.
Is there perhaps a church organization or anything like that they contact? I so hope peace and God's care for them!!
Something is very wrong here. I do not think that the hospital can legally withhold a death certificate. The family needs to contact the state's attorney's office first thing on Monday morning. If anyone then has to pay additional moneys to the funeral home, it will be the hospital.
They are being given the run around. I feel that they are being taken advantage of in a way that is unconscionable.
I will most definitely pray that this family be allowed to lay their beautiful daughter to rest without hindrance from the hospital or the funeral home. We know that the little girl is already in Heaven with our Father, but this family must be allowed to put their little one to sleep properly.
thank you, denise, for posting this on your blog. you are truly an angel. i am praying for you, sweet sister, for your blood sugar to go down to normalcy. i wish i could do more for you, denise.
i will be sending some write ups to you regarding blood sugar. i know it's effective because my mom is taking them.
denise, God has great plans for you. you are such an angel. and i know God is with you right now comforting you and healing you. stay in faith, sister. God is in control.
i love ya!
thank you, beth and wanda, for praying. God bless you.
This is so sad. It's one thing to lose their child and now have to deal with this financial stress.
Praying,
Mary
I am so sorry for this family's loss, and the injustice of what they are going through. I really question the legality of it!
I watched your video and see that you are a strong prayer warrior. I too believe in the awesome power of prayer and know that it's an unbelievable privilege that we have.
You, and the little girl's family, will be in my prayers!
I am praying for this family that their hearts will truly be recovered from losing their daughter. And praying also that God will provide the money that they needed to pay for their hospital bill. Praying that God touches HIS people to send some financial help, to those have something to give. I really wish I could help!. God bless u and thanks fro sharing.
thank y'all for praying. it is unfair and heartbreaking, but things are the way they are. the family are in the philippines. things are done differently here, unfortunately. i am also praying that God will come through for them.
The death certificate comes from the State Division of Records, not the hospital ... I am not sure you are being given the correct information here.
Also, hospitals & doctors work WITH the people re their indebtedness ... on payment plans. I think someone needs to do more research/talking to the proper authorities, & medical facilities to work thru this better.
I will pray for you that you take the suggestions I offer you. It is so sad to learn of this precious child ...
Death Certificates are not kept by hospitals, but the coroners office and state records divisions. I have never heard of this at all, but would be glad to check into it for you or your friend. How devastating for this family!
Post a Comment