S'porean family fundraising S$80,000 for domestic helper who suffered heart attack after sudden death of husband

A domestic worker from Myanmar suffered a heart attack after learning of her husband's death and is now in critical condition at Tan Tock Seng's Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Her Singaporean employer is now seeking help for the S$80,000 in medical bills to stabilise and diagnose her condition.

Thandar Lin, 39, has been working for the household since August 2024, and at this point, she is considered family.

Heartbreak over death of husband

Her employer's 34-year-old daughter, Maya, lives with the helper.

She told Mothership that Thandar's husband died in his sleep at the age of 36 on Mar. 13, 2026.

Overwhelmed by the news, Thandar started experiencing breathing difficulties and tightness in her chest on Mar. 15, 2026.

She was brought to the emergency department of Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and upon examination, it was confirmed that she had suffered a heart attack.

ICU

Maya said Thandar underwent an angiogram procedure on Mar. 20, 2026 and had to be defibrillated to restore her heart rhythm.

Coronary angiography is a diagnostic imaging test to visualise blood flow and potential blockages.

Dye is injected into the blood vessels of the heart, and X-rays are conducted, according to SingHealth.

She was transferred to the ICU on Mar. 23, 2026.

Her preliminary diagnosis is cardiomyopathy, and according to Maya, a more permanent solution would be a heart transplant.

According to the campaign site, Thandar remains hospitalised, and her medical bills have already exceeded S$60,000, and will continue to rise.

Doctors estimate that an additional S$10,000 to S$20,000 is needed for further tests.

"Her blood pressure keeps dropping unpredictably. Fluid is building up in her lungs, making it difficult for her to breathe. Every day is uncertain with her in and out of the ICU."

Thandar has a nine-year-old son, Zwe Myat Min, who remains in Myanmar under the care of his grandmother, still grieving the loss of his father.

"While Thandar fights for her life here, her nine-year-old son waits for her, already having lost his father just weeks ago."

Cared for family during their medical issues

Maya told Mothership: "She is not just our helper but family."

Maya explained that Thandar cared for the family when they underwent their own medical procedures and operations.

"She was the one holding everything together and taking care of us. She has always been there in our hardest moments, quietly giving her strength to our family.

Now she is the one in the hospital. We cannot turn away."

Maya said that her family is doing everything they can to support Thandar's medical care and will stand by her.

She said, "This is what family does right, we show up for each other when it matters most."

She added that they are reaching out to the public for help because costs are high.

As of Apr. 12, over S$2,900 has been raised by about 40 donors, which is 3 per cent of the goal.

You can donate to the campaign here.

Top photo from Maya