Family sells bread and raffle tickets to fund husband’s care

Rodrigo Pompeu has daily seizures since January. His family sells books, baked goods and raffle tickets to cover medical and living expenses.

Since January 30, life for logistics operator Rodrigo Pompeu, 38, has been turned upside down. A resident of the Aririú neighborhood in Palhoça, in the greater Florianópolis area of Brazil, he began experiencing multiple convulsive and dissociative episodes every day. The neurological aftermath has been significant: slowed speech, difficulty walking, dizziness, headaches, mental confusion and memory loss.

Because the seizures continue throughout the day, Rodrigo cannot be left alone. His wife, event producer Mayara Campos, had to step away from her career entirely to provide round-the-clock care.

One income, mounting bills

With Mayara no longer able to work, the family’s only income is Rodrigo’s disability benefit from Brazil’s social security system (INSS) — an amount further reduced by child support payments for children from a previous relationship. The couple also raises two children of their own, aged 6 and 15.

Monthly expenses — rent, utilities, phone, internet and medication — continue to pile up. “Friends and family helped a lot at first, even covering some medical tests. But the bills keep coming back,” Mayara says.

How the community is helping

To keep the household afloat, Mayara and her support network have launched several fundraising efforts. She sells her digital book “A Produção Tá On” — a guide for event industry professionals — and takes orders for homemade breads and sweets. Two friends organized a charity raffle with multiple prizes. A crowdfunding campaign has raised R$ 495 of a R$ 10,000 goal so far.

A charity soccer tournament is also being planned, though the family still needs help securing a field, recruiting teams, obtaining trophies and medals, and spreading the word.

Event Info

• Digital book “A Produção Tá On” — R$ 37.90. Purchase at: https://hotm.io/GKNydPYc
• Homemade breads and sweets (pre-order) — Homemade bread: R$ 10.00 | Cat’s Ear snack: R$ 1.99/100g | Traditional rain cake: R$ 1.99/100g | Banana rain cake: R$ 2.10/100g. Pickup in Aririú neighborhood, Palhoça. Orders: +55 (48) 99920-5974.
• Charity raffle — R$ 5.00 per ticket. Prizes: R$ 300 gift card at ViaFran store; product basket from FhaFifo store; beauty product basket (donated by Jenifer Horácio); May’s Snack Kit (1 bread, 250g cat’s ear and 250g rain cake). Contact Mayara: +55 (48) 99920-5974.
• Crowdfunding: https://www.vakinha.com.br/vaquinha/ajuda-para-may-producao
• Charity soccer tournament — The family needs: a field, participating teams, trophies and medals, and help with logistics and promotion. Contact: +55 (48) 99920-5974.
• Follow the family’s journey: www.instagram.com/mayproducoes_

Photo: Press release