Wellwishers ran a fundraising TikTok live session to raise funds for Yameen last night, through which they raised over MVR 200,000.
Bodybuilder Mohamed Yameen (Yaambe), who holds the title of Mr Maldives, is suffering from kidney failure and has appealed for help from the public.
Wellwishers ran a fundraising TikTok live session to raise funds for Yameen last night, through which they raised over MVR 200,000.
Yameen also participated in the live, with many joining in and contributing funds for his treatment.
The live went on for about an hour, with MVR 210,000 and USD 1,300 being raised during the session. This is one of the most successful fundraising events held in the local TikTok community to date.
Yameen, who has held the title of Mr Maldives four times, including at present, said that he is currently on the final stages of kidney failure, and had been diagnosed about a month ago. He said that with both kidneys failing, doctors have advised to go for transplant.
As he would need significant funds to undergo treatment, Shaviyani atoll Funadhoo, where Yameen hails from, has also started a fundraising drive.
Yameen said that he had not noticed any symptoms of his ailment before, and had only been diagnosed through blood tests conducted after he was facing some discomfort. In the month since, he has consulted with various doctors and undergone multiple tests.
"Doctors say that it is now at the fifth stage. That's the last stage of this disease. This can no longer be cured," he said.
"Right now, I am staying entirely away from sports. The focus is on overcoming this."