I’ve reblogged, pinned posts, and talked to people about my friend Alex (@hell-bent-in-a-fever-dream) for the past seven months, and so many people share her posts, but very little seems to change on the donation side of things. I’m not sure if making this post will do anything, but I have to keep trying for my friend. So hi, BTS Army, I’m Gloom, and I’m gonna talk to you guys directly. Let me tell you about Alex.
Alex is 24 years old and lives in the Philippines. She dedicated all of her time, energy, and incredibly limited finances to two things: her family and fighting for justice. She gave everything to others, minimising her own health needs and ending up fighting for her life by age 23. She even put off asking for help online for MONTHS after her cancer diagnosis, because she knew the importance of our collective focus being on Palestine as well as other populations experiencing genocide right now.
The last time I spoke to Alex was December 26th, 2024. She went in for surgery, and hasn’t been well enough since then to use her account. Instead, I have been communicating with her little brother, Vin, who, it turns out, is every bit as wonderful as Alex. But Vin is only 18, and with Alex’s health, he is responsible for keeping his big sister alive while taking care of his mom, who due to disability and her own health is unable to be the primary breadwinner for her family, and his little brother, who is meant to start school, but may be unable to due to finances. Vin and Alex also lost their father a few years ago, so, the fate of this family is on the shoulders of a teenager, and that is an impossible situation. Vin has worked countless jobs and fought harder than 99% of us could possibly imagine to keep his family going, but what they need is money, because we live in a world that systematically kills poor and disabled people, and we’re supposed to just accept that.
Well, fuck that. I don’t accept that a 24 year old who dedicates her life to helping others, who has a family that has lost so much, and who is a member of such a powerful community is going to die. I believe we can save Alex, truly. But not alone.
I am in unfamiliar territory here, as I don’t listen to BTS, but I, like everyone on the internet, know how capable and strong you guys are, and that you guys are truly a community. It sounds like I’m just buttering you up, but I have been in the Phandom for a decade, so I know a fellow Power Fandom when I see one. And Alex’s relationship with BTS has put them in a new light for me.
I want to share one BTS cover that I know she loved and that her brother recalls her playing for their dad to help him sleep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXTD1uImG3A (RM & V "네시 (4 O'CLOCK)" - Music Box Edition). Listening to it makes me absolutely bawl my eyes out.
Alex’s fundraiser link: https://gogetfunding.com/urgent-fundraising-for-hospital-expenses-battling-breast-cancer/
They are at $60/$1700 USD of their current goal. Vin needs to acquire the funds ASAP. I cannot overemphasise the urgency.
Doubtful of the legitimacy of her fundraiser? Reasonable! We have to be smart about what we donate to and make sure the fundraisers are verifiable. Her fundraiser has been extensively vetted by accounts with experience doing so. Here are some links to posts verifying/vetting Alex’s fundraiser:
https://www.tumblr.com/virovac/776857260340264960/urgent-fundraising-for-breast-cancer-treatment
https://www.tumblr.com/virovac/778102105510674432/vetted-and-urgent-fundraising-for?source=share
https://kyra45.tumblr.com/post/768087984468787200/for-anyone-wondering-this-is-the-original-post
https://kyra45.tumblr.com/post/768087984468787200/for-anyone-wondering-this-is-the-original-post
Questions? You can DM me or @hell-bent-in-a-fever-dream. And for more info, here is Alex’s original post: https://www.tumblr.com/hell-bent-in-a-fever-dream/759992799364071424/urgent-fundraising-for-breast-cancer-treatment?source=share
And some that add context/info:
https://www.tumblr.com/danandfuckingjonlmao/771058627261923328/alex-cant-post-the-pictures-of-what-their-arm?source=share
https://www.tumblr.com/hell-bent-in-a-fever-dream/786271850170843136/601700-my-sister-is-dying-and-we-still-need-to?source=share
Donating on mobile doesn’t seem to work for anyone, so please consider trying on desktop
If you can’t donate anything, that’s okay! Please consider sharing with people who can and/or on other platforms
I will also take any advice on fundraising from people with more experience
ANYTHING HELPS! If everyone donated $1 they’d reach their goal. Truly anything.
