Twitter Ties Try to Save the Life of Eric De La Cruz
Posted by Holly in Helping Others, Inspirational People, Twitter
Social Marketing is being used to help save the life of Eric De La Cruz, a 27-year-old man in Nevada who direly needs a heart transplant. Eric has a preexisting medical condition and we cannot get health insurance. His sister, Veronica, has been trying to help him get Medicare disability, with no luck. Veronica is desperately trying to help her brother get on the transplant list, but without insurance he will need to pay for the surgery out-of-pocket. In that case, they are accepting donations (even a single d
ollar will help) to assist in paying the massive expenses which are involved.
Currently, Eric has been rejected twice in trying to get to California under the Medicare Disability program.
The next appeals hearing is in one year, and he cannot wait a year. Eric has Severe Dilated Cardiomyopathy with an EF of 15%. His kidneys are weakening due to his heart condition and he is on three different IV’s.
Veronica is asking for help from you. Please click here and scroll down to send this prepared letter to the Nevada Senator Harry Reid (or write your own), asking for Eric to be reviewed asap for Medicare Disability.
So, what does social networking and Twitter have to do with all of this?
Well, Trent Reznor, of Nine Inch Nails, has helped raise over $850,000 to help save Eric’s life. The coming together of people across the world, through Twitter, and the donation site Trent setup- may save Eric’s life. Trent has used his Twitter Account http://twitter.com/trent_reznor to help spread the word virally, to help get donations to save Eric. It’s amazing how inter-connected the world really is through the Internet. And to use the connectivity for a good cause, to ban together, is incredible to see and be a part of.
For updates on Eric’s condition and status – please follow Veronica on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/veronicadlcruz
9 Responses to “Twitter Ties Try to Save the Life of Eric De La Cruz”
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Holly
28. May, 2009
By the way – thank you Jenna for telling me about this story.
Dustin
29. May, 2009
I’ve been following this kind of closely since you posted the link on FB. I’ve been amazed at the progress being made. Last I checked they were up over $870k – truly amazing how far they’ve come in the last week! I’ve kept up with the updates that Veronica has been posting on lifegiverproject.org and was relieved to learn yesterday that he was finally on the transplant list.
So…thank you Jenna for telling Holly about this story…and thank you Holly for telling me. This story has affected me in a big way.
Dustins last blog post..A Step In A Different Direction
Dustin
29. May, 2009
Oh, and by the way, Holly, I like the new site layout. Looks great!
Dustins last blog post..A Step In A Different Direction
Holly
29. May, 2009
Oh Dustin that is GREAT NEWS about Eric being on the transplant list!!!! Awesome!!! I will try to keep more up-to-date with his status on twitter. I will post any updates here too!
Holly
01. Jun, 2009
Update (from Dustin – thank you): Eric had surgery and it was a success. He seems to be stable – http://www.lifegiverproject.org/?p=197 (May 31, 2009)!!!
Tim Hedrich
01. Jun, 2009
FYI, just to be clear, Eric had surgery to implant an assist device…a VAD as they are known. He is still in need of a heart transplant and definitely still needs support. Visit http://www.weloveeric.com
Holly
02. Jun, 2009
Thank you Tim and thanks also for the link to Eric’s support website.
The5sisters
22. Jun, 2009
I’m happy for him and yet also surprised at the great financial response he received , after a similar request for help from a very deceitful person turned out to be bogus.This request was and is undoubtedly sincere and honest.
Holly
22. Jun, 2009
I agree with you completely.