15-year-old Marvel Marcello Kurniawan should be graduating from junior high school this year. But since September 2024, he has been forced to stop school after being diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening condition: anterior mediastinal mass – a germ cell tumor growing in the space between his lungs, near his heart.

It all started in August 2024 with persistent high fevers, night sweats, and shortness of breath. After months of misdiagnoses and long travels to various hospitals, a biopsy revealed a malignant tumor. Unfortunately, the treatment journey has been incredibly tough. Marvel underwent 30 rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, which left him weak, severely underweight, and with nerve damage in his hands.

The tumor has slightly reduced in size but is still dangerously located in front of his heart. Before it can be surgically removed, Marvel must first undergo an embolization procedure to block key blood vessels and prevent internal bleeding during the main surgery.

Marvel is the eldest of three siblings. His father, a palm oil laborer, earns only less than $200 a month. Barely enough to survive, let alone afford costly treatments. The family lives in company housing and has no assets to sell. His parents are deep in debt, relying on loans just to cover transport and medications not covered by insurance.

To continue treatment, Marvel’s family urgently needs support from #KindSouls. His mother and two younger sisters have moved to stay near the hospital, while his father works far away to keep some income flowing. Marvel dreams of getting better and returning to school — but right now, he needs our help to survive.

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