Mitchelle And Tarafi's Story

The General & Medical Foundation received an application for a grant for a wearable Oxygen Monitor and an Air Purifier from single mother Mitchelle living in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Mitchelle’s little boy, Tarafi, aged 16 months suffers from a life-threatening condition in the form of idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare lung disease, mostly affecting young children. IPH causes the deposition of hemosiderin (a storage form of Iron) in the lungs which can cause bleeding into the lungs, resulting in recurrent episodes of shortness of breath and coughing, often with blood. The disease may also cause injuries to the lungs. Currently there is no known cure for IPH and it is a difficult condition to treat.

Mitchelle has had to give up work to care for Tafari fulltime and their home in Tower Hamlets quite far from King’s College Hospital where there is the right specialist team to offer him the proper care.

The wearable oxygen monitor will alert Mitchelle when Tafari’s oxygen levels are low, to let her know when she should make her way to the hospital and avoid her struggling to get Tafari to the hospital whilst he may be coughing up blood. The Air Purifier will help reduce the chances of Tafari having an episode.

We were pleased to be able to offer assistance to Mitchelle by approving the grant to provide the Oxygen Monitor and Air Purifier to her.

The General & Medical Foundation aims to help people who have been affected by medical conditions or disabilities by providing financial support for their medical needs and equipment to help aid lives.

We are welcoming applications from individuals who want to apply for a grant* to help them acquire equipment or treatment that would aid them in their daily activities. If you know of a friend or family member who would benefit from this grant please ask them to contact us at enquiries@thegmfoundation.org or please click here to apply online.

*All applications for grants are subject to eligibility.