Road To €150,000: Maltese Salon To Donate 50% Of Men’s Product Proceeds To Andrea ‘Batman’ Calleja
A Movember fundraiser in support of Andrea Calleja, known by his loved ones as Batman, has just been launched, in an effort to raise enough money for Andrea to afford a cure for his paralysing spinal cord injury.
Ayur Veda Organic Wellbeing launched this initiative for the month of November in the hopes of helping Andrea raise over €150,000 for a small yet integral operation that can only take place halfway across the world.
“Andrea’s unwavering resolve becomes evident as he strives to recover his ability to move. Despite encountering obstacles, he persists in moving ahead,” the salon wrote on social media.
50% of all the money made from the men’s products, treatments, and massages bought from this salon will be donated to Andrea, who has so far raised at least €83,395.
The Maltese man came within an inch of death following a freak accident during an obstacle course as part of the Grid Competition in October 2022. His life drastically changed as a result, leaving him confined to a wheelchair and widely paralysed.
Andrea’s spinal cord was severely damaged and such an injury generally leads to complete paralysis. However, in Andrea’s case, he was able to start breathing alone and he gained movement in both of his arms while in rehabilitation in Rome where he remains receiving treatment.
Despite the severity of his injury, there is hope for recovery. A small but very expensive operation called Epidural Stimulation holds the cure for Andrea’s condition. Even before any travel expenses, medication, or transport, the operation costs €150,000.
In this procedure, doctors attach a chip to the spine. The electrode is used to send electrical currents to cause muscle contractions, which helps to move the targeted groups of muscles.
In most cases after a spinal cord injury, the neurons and axons throughout the body are still in good condition. However, the brain cannot transmit signals to and from them because of the damage to the spinal cord.
The implant device, through spinal cord stimulator surgery, helps to reactivate and use remaining intact neural networks within the spinal cord to direct the movements required to stand and take steps.
If you’re interested in donating to this cause, be sure to check out Ayur Veda’s initiative and click the link here to book one of the services for men.
In one of Andrea’s previous fundraisers, he was able to raise €23,000 within only a few hours of crowdfunding.
Lovin Malta wishes Andrea the best of luck
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