*Every donation up to $25,000 will be doubled by an anonymous donor. If we hit the campaign target of $50,000, the total amount Rubel and his family will receive is $75,000*

Ray of Hope is raising $50,000 to support Rubel and his young family while he fights stage 4 lung cancer.

Rubel has two aged parents, wife and a young 1.5 year old son. This fund will help them to build up additional savings in the event of his passing.

Cancer Diagnosis

In 2022, Rubel was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer. Thankfully, after chemotherapy and surgery, it went into remission. In March 2023, the cancer spread to his liver, requiring stronger chemotherapy and a July surgery that removed 25% of his liver. By December 2023, scans and tests showed no signs of concern.

Sadly, in May 2024, another scan revealed significant liver deterioration and cancer in his lungs. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer and given a prognosis of 3-6 months left to live without treatment.

First Crowdfunding Campaign

Channel NewsAsia reported on Rubel’s story and his significant past contributions to his fellow migrant workers and Singaporeans during his 15 years here:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/migrant-worker-bangladesh-cancer-migrant-culture-show-4397906

Following the article, a first crowdfunding campaign was setup and an outpouring of generosity and kindness from the public raised $94,433. Rubel also received some private donations of $6,333, bringing the total funds raised to $100,666: https://www.simplygiving.com/appeal/help-rubel-with-his-end-of-life-expenses

These funds will cover: (i) 12 months of living expenses for Rubel and his family, (ii) chemotherapy sessions for 12 months in an Indian hospital and 2 years of replacement income for his family in the event of his passing.

How These Additional Funds Raised Will Be Used

Ray of Hope spoke with Rubel and would like to raise an additional $50,000 (up to $75,000 if fully raised with matched funds) to further provide his family with another 3.5 years of replacement income (calculated from his currently monthly income of $1,800 per month in Singapore), so they can build up some savings in the event of his passing.

About Rubel

Fazly Elahi Rubel (Rubel) first came to Singapore to work as a migrant worker at just 19 years old in 2009, hoping for a better future for his family back in Noakhali, Bangladesh.

Outside of work, he actively tries to contribute towards initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in Singapore, such as the Migrant Cultural Show, an annual performance of cultural songs and dances from different migrant and domestic workers, to raise awareness of migrant cultures amongst Singaporeans.

He also initiated the Migrant Library Singapore, which provides migrant workers with free access to 700+ books in their own languages to help them stay connected. Back home, Rubel has a wife and 1.5-year old son. As the sole breadwinner for his family, Rubel dreams of giving them a better life.

Some links to where Rubel has been featured

Channel NewsAsia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/migrant-worker-bangladesh-cancer-migrant-culture-show-4397906

Mothership: https://mothership.sg/2020/11/wimby-rubel-migrant-worker-integration/

Singapore Kindness Movement: https://pride.kindness.sg/migrant-worker-library-singapore/

TEDxNTU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmXu7ajOdJc

The Birthday Collective: https://www.facebook.com/thebirthdaycollective/posts/fazley-elahi-rubel-known-to-his-friends-as-rubel-was-born-in-noakhali-bangladesh/5245486732235952/