Several celebrities have donated to Gena Tew’s GoFundMe follows the news of the Instagram model’s near-death experience, when she contracted HIV, which led to her being diagnosed with AIDS within the past eight to 10 years.
Singer R&B Ari Lennox and Diplo each donated $1,000 under their real names Courtney Salter and Wesley Pentz to the model, whose story is mentioned by Shade room earlier this week.
Tew seems to be very familiar with Diplo, as he shared video evidence of a past outing with the famous DJ alongside model Tyson Beckford in a TikTok video.
@ genatew2 When life is fun #fyp #model #dj #tysonbeckford #diplo
As of Thursday, the fundraiser had raised $7,079 from a $75,000 goal. The money is used to pay for both medical and travel expenses, as Tew revealed she just lost her only sister to a rare lung disease last month.
Money will be for medical expenses, transportation
Tew writes that she’s trying to move closer to where her late sister’s three young children live, and the money will help her realize that goal.
“As you all know, my name is Gena Tew, I am battling AIDS and just lost my only sister to a rare lung disease, Fibrosing Mediastinitis, on June 8; She leaves behind a husband and 3 small children. She is only 29 years old… we are currently trying to raise money to move where they are for them. Any help will be highly appreciated. Thank you,” the GoFundMe description reads.
@ genatew2 It was a great couple of days. I love you all #keep safe #fyp #genatew #donate
Tew Thanks to the supporters, saying that she “Understood” the answer
Tew talked about the response she received after news of her illness went viral and thanked everyone for their support. She even addressed some of the feedback she received, saying she “knows a lot about you, but that’s okay”.
“I just want to thank everyone for all the messages and emails and prayers and support I’ve received over the past few days,” Tew said in a new TikTok video on Thursday. “Even the negatives, I understand a lot of you, but that’s okay. Let’s see the light in this somehow. I hope others can be as open and honest about this as I am…. Just know that God got me, and if God got me, he gets you. “
The 27-year-old singer and Instagram model revealed her battle with AIDS in a now-viral TikTok video last month, telling her 432,000 followers that she’d dropped to 65 pounds after learning she was… was infected with HIV about 8 to 10 years ago.
Eventually, the virus turned into AIDS and she has suffered many health problems since then.
Blinded in one eye, unable to walk while dropping to 65 Pound
Tew was blind in one eye and had to relearn how to walk after losing the ability to do so. Videos on her social media sites show her tough path to better health, with clips of physical therapy and hospital stays garnering millions of views.
Speaking about her experience in a video posted on Monday, she told her followers that she doesn’t know when or how her HIV infection led to her condition.
The model with multiple ink stains said it could have been a dirty tattoo needle, and also added that she was raped while homeless on the streets of New York.
The IG model has been linked in the past to the likes of Nick Cannon, Chief Keef
In a video shared with TikTok, Gena also displays photos from an October 2015 outing with Nick Cannon taken by the paparazzi.
@ genatew2 That time I met nick cannon 🤭🥰 #fyp #fyp #TalkingTree #ShowYourGreatness
Previously a model for clothing brand Black Pyramid owned by Breezy, Chris Brown shared her photo on his Instagram page.
In December 2015, the model shared she was hanging out in LA and NYC around Nick and Chief Keef.
“It’s chilling in LA with the sheriff. Then come back to nyc for my bday to relax with nick cannon. Life”
Modeling, singing career infected with virus
Tew modeled for The Cover magazine in 2015, and is also a business singer. She covered songs like Adele’s “Hello” and released a rendition of Alina Baraz’s “Electric Song” in early 2018.
The Brooklyn-born model, who is known for her distinctive throat tattoos, had previously signed up for major gigs with retailer Dolls Kill, according to a 2018 profile by Inked Magazine.
Those who want to donate to Tew’s GoFundMe can do so here.
