For more than 20 years, Milagro Garel has dedicated her life to opening doors to critical medical care for thousands of children across Belize. As country director for the World Pediatric Project and a passionate community organizer with Friends of Pediatrics and other local groups, her work has touched nearly every corner of the small Central American nation. Now, as Garel faces a life-threatening medical emergency of her own, the community she spent decades serving is coming together to give back.
Garel suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm last Tuesday, and has remained in critical condition since the incident. After being stabilized at a local medical facility in Belize, she was transferred via air ambulance to a specialized hospital in Guatemala for advanced care. According to family friend Carla Ayres Musa, Garel held stable vital signs through the weekend, and clinical teams scheduled her high-risk, long-duration surgery for the afternoon of August 3, 2026. Musa confirmed the procedure is expected to take between six and 10 hours to complete, given the complexity of Garel’s condition.
“Everyone knows someone who knows Milagro,” Musa shared in an interview with local morning program *Open Your Eyes*. “Thousands of people across Belize have been impacted by her work in one way or another. Everything she does comes from pure passion and compassion for people who need help. Now she needs us.”
The total cost of Garel’s emergency care, including international air transport, surgery, extended hospitalization, and post-operative follow-up treatment, is estimated at $95,000 — a sum far beyond what her family can cover on their own. In response, community members have launched a multi-pronged series of fundraising initiatives to close the gap, organized by lead coordinator Jodi Pott.
Supporters can contribute through a dedicated GoFundMe campaign, or send direct donations directly to the Garel family. For those who wish to participate in in-person community events, a pop-up fundraising gathering will be held at Brew this coming Saturday. Later in August, a larger community event titled “Movements for Milagro” will take place at 3 p.m. on August 16 at the Bliss Centre. The dance-focused fundraiser will feature performances from multiple dance troupes from across Belize, with tickets priced at $25 per person. Those interested in purchasing tickets can reach organizers at 615-0935.
Across Belize, messages of support have poured in for Garel, as residents who benefited from her decades of work join together to help the woman who gave so much to their children get the care she needs.