Hello, friends. I rarely make direct requests #onhere, so if I do you know it’s important. THREAD: 1/

I met Nevra Lizéta “Liz” Ahmet @nlizaki of Karachi, Pakistan in August of 2019 through an online #MECFS patient support group. We were trolling the group moderator by suggesting that she record an audio version of her blog post with an ASMR mic. 2/

At that time I was already aware of Nevra’s fundraiser to treat her severe chronic illness and I had donated months earlier. But at that time I didn’t yet know the vibrant, hilarious, resourceful woman behind the Save Liz Nevra campaign. 3/

I was nervous that if we talked more (via Messenger), I would feel undue pressure to donate money to Nevra or take on roles in her campaign, but it wasn’t like that. She was and is scared for her future, but she’s never asked much of me, other than to listen and be a friend. 4/

We've been intrigued by coincidental connections between us. Our names, Nevra and Nora, have a shared etymology. Nevra is also a polyglot who - as we found out last year - had heard of one of my polyglot friends from college. 5/

Most importantly (in MY humble opinion), we have a shared sense of humor. Zany and punny and sometimes twisted. I think that’s kept both of us going. 6/

Now Nevra is doing very poorly. She is in a lot of daily pain, struggling to breathe, and weighs 29 kg (63.9 pounds), despite keeping up oral food intake. She is currently en route to a hospital in Karachi, and she needs IV nutrition immediately to stabilize her condition. 7/

While Nevra never specifically asked me to contribute to her efforts to fundraise and secure adequate health care, I don’t know what kind of friend I can call myself if I don’t make every effort to help save her life. 8/

So if you consider *me* a friend, please know that this is deeply important to me, and please give whatever amount you can to help save Nevra. Then, RT this fundraiser and SHARE with everyone you can. 9/ https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-our-nevra-l

Friendship knows no borders, hardship knows no borders. Thanks everyone! 10/

(to skip to the fundraiser link, go here) https://twitter.com/nhelfand/status/1254454697634623489