When Gillian 'Gil" Sawal was informed he would need $100,000 for life-saving surgery as a result of renal disease it was his mates who jumped into action.
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When EMS colleague and good friend Tom Cavanagh found out Mr Sawal's kidneys were performing at 17 per cent and dropping one per cent each month, he knew the only way to save his mate would be to get those funds.
"Gil's worked for EMS Group for two and half years here in Dubbo. He has a wife and nine-year-old daughter in the Philippines who he works incredibly hard for, to send money back to them," Mr Cavanagh said.
"He's a very hard worker, he's honest, a kind guy and has a wonderful smile and he always goes out of his way to say hello, and to no fault of his own, he's been diagnosed with kidney failure.
"If he couldn't get the money raised he would die, it's that simple."
Being a Foreign worker based in Australia, Mr Sawal cannot access Australian support for his illness so his only option is to go home for the surgery.
Mr Cavanagh created a GoFundMe Page to help provide the funds and after contributing $50,000 of his own money, he has also raised more than $40,000.
Mr Cavanagh said individuals and workmates from the EMS Dubbo group have been the main contributors.
Mr Sawal said he is very grateful to his workmates and for those supporting him, 'especially Tom'.
"It's mixed emotions. I'm happy and excited to go home and see my family, but at the same time, I'm really worried. Because of my condition, I feel depressed at the moment," Mr Sawal said.
"I just want to warn everybody about their health. Even though they feel nothing, they feel perfect, I suggest they still get general checks because once your health is gone everything will follow."
To donate visit au.gofundme.com/f/lets-help-our-mate-gil.
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