A Southampton nurse whose husband died just four months after a shocking leukaemia diagnosis has raised thousands of pounds to repatriate his body.
Prelyn Fruto is “forever grateful” after the fundraiser launched to fulfil her late husband’s final wish to be buried in the Philippines - the couple's home country - raised its £8,000 goal within 13 hours of going live.
The 34-year-old, who works at Southampton General Hospital's ICU, said: "The word 'thank you' is an understatement. I am forever grateful to the people who donated and for what they did."
Husband Bernardo, 42, developed a tooth infection and swelling to the face back in April.
But after visiting A&E, he was sent home with pain-killers.
In June, the former parcel sorter started feeling weak, experiencing fevers and a sore throat.
It was only when he started struggling to swallow that the couple decided he should go to hospital.
Blood tests revealed he'd been suffering from Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia, an aggressive type of blood cancer.
According to Leukaemia UK, less than a sixth of patients survive more than five years after being diagnosed.
Prelyn, who at first was in denial, said: “My husband was normally fit and well and when the doctors said he had cancer I just couldn’t explain it. It didn’t make sense. I couldn’t accept it.”
Bernardo started chemotherapy straight away but his health deteriorated in October when he lost his sight and became confused.
He died on November 4, leaving behind 10-year-old daughter Berlyn and nine-month-old son Bray.
A fundraiser set up by Prelyn’s colleague, Filipa Rosendo, to allow Bernardo to be buried at home in the Philippines hit its target in record time.
To date, it has reached £14,480.
“I could not believe it when my colleague called me crying that the money had been raised,” Prelyn said.
She added: “Because of people giving wholeheartedly I was able to give my husband his last wish. I cannot thank people enough, every single one of them.”
Bernardo’s body was flown home and the extra funds were used to help the family buy flights and arrange a respectful wake.
Prelyn plans to return to the UK with her children and continue to work at Southampton General.
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