How Zachary Cefaratti Saved the Life of Saila Grace Sevilleno — A Story of Loyalty and Dedication

In the heart of Dubai’s bustling financial hub, DIFC, a remarkable story of compassion and humanity unfolded.

Founder of Dalma Capital Zachary Cefaratti not only built a successful business, but also saved a life in a way that touched the hearts of many. This is the story of how Zachary’s unwavering support and kindness gave his house­keeper, Saila Grace Sevilleno, a new lease on life.

A new beginning

Dalma Capital was founded by Zachary Cefaratti in 2011, a testament to his lifelong dedication to the world of finance. His journey began early, investing as a child actor and later studying at presti­gious insti­tu­tions such as the University of Pennsyl­vania, the London School of Economics and Franklin University. His entre­pre­neurial spirit led him to start a brokerage firm to finance his education and after a successful exit, he founded Dalma Capital.

In 2017, Saila Grace Sevilleno came into Zachary’s life. Saila initially worked for him through an agency and always dreamed of a permanent job with a friendly employer. Unsat­isfied with the agency’s treatment, she contacted Zachary for a full-time position. Although he didn’t need a full-time house­keeper, Zachary was pleased to hire her and double her desired salary. Saila’s job was primarily to care for Zachary and his beloved dogs, with occasional culinary duties thanks to Zachary’s support in attending culinary school.

Kind acts

Zachary’s generosity went beyond employment. When Saila’s son needed educa­tional resources and tuition assis­tance, Zachary stepped in. He funded her son’s tuition fees and ensured that he could visit Dubai, especially when Saila fell ill. When Saila’s mother passed away, Zachary and his own mother, Brooke, who Saila affec­tion­ately calls “Mamita,” provided emotional support, helped Saila cope with her loss, and welcomed Saila’s son to Zachary’s home in Dubai.

A tragedy struck at the beginning of 2021. Saila was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a condition that seemed insur­mountable. When Zachary learned of her diagnosis, he met with her doctor, who recom­mended that Saila be sent back to the Philip­pines due to the high cost of treatment in Dubai and the bleak prognosis. The doctor suggested she might undergo dialysis treatment to extend her life by a few months, but considered her condition fatal.

Unwavering support

Despite the bleak outlook, Zachary never hesitated. He sought second and third opinions from the best nephrol­o­gists in Dubai to ensure that Saila received top-notch care. He arranged for her to receive dialysis at American Hospital, known for its dialysis center, and explored trans­plant options at Mediclinic, known for its trans­plant team. Throughout this challenging journey, Zachary provided unwavering emotional support, always reassuring Saila that she was family and that he would cover all expenses.

When Saila learned of the exorbitant cost of her treatment, she wanted to return to the Philip­pines as she felt she did not deserve such expensive treatment. Zachary hugged her with tears in his eyes and said, “You are my family. You don’t have to worry.” This reassurance gave Saila the strength to continue her dialysis in Dubai.

Find a donor

As Saila’s condition worsened, Zachary knew the only hope was a kidney trans­plant. After Zachary found out his blood type didn’t match and he was facing a long trans­plant list, he searched for an altru­istic donor. His efforts bore fruit when Dan from Kenya responded to a LinkedIn post about Saila’s case. Despite legal challenges in Dubai regarding non-family donors, Zachary organized testing and travel for Dan to make the trans­plant possible.

The long road to a miracle

Finding a donor was an arduous journey filled with hope, setbacks and relentless deter­mi­nation. Zachary Cefaratti’s unwavering commitment to finding a kidney for Saila Grace Sevilleno led him to Dan in Kenya. Dan’s willingness to donate stemmed from his own family’s experience with kidney failure, although legal hurdles in Dubai posed signif­icant challenges.

Despite these obstacles, Zachary’s deter­mi­nation never wavered. He organized multiple tests and trips for Dan to hospitals equipped with the necessary facil­ities and navigated the compli­cated process with perse­verance and hope. Dubai’s laws at the time did not allow donors outside the family, and although changes in the law were expected, the timeline remained uncertain.

During this time, Saila’s health continued to deteri­orate and her spirit began to weaken. Zachary’s constant reassurance and emotional support was her lifeline. He remained a pillar of strength, hiding his own stress to prevent Saila’s burden from becoming even greater. Over time, the urgency of finding a donor became more important.

The call that changed everything

One day a glimmer of hope appeared. Saila received a call about a possible kidney match and had to go to the hospital immedi­ately for further tests. The excitement was palpable, but also the fear that the match might not be suitable. Zachary accom­panied Saila to Mediclinic City Hospital, where they eagerly awaited the results.

The tests confirmed a match and the trans­plant was planned. The hours before the operation were full of hope and fear. Zachary stood by Saila and offered unwavering support. He gave her the confi­dence she needed for the surgery, knowing it could be the turning point in her battle with end-stage renal disease.

The transplant

The day of the trans­plant was a day full of great emotions. Saila’s surgery was successful and doctors were optimistic about the outcome. The match was so perfect that it was almost mirac­ulous, as if the donor had been a sister of Saila. When Saila woke up from surgery, one of her first actions was to call Zachary and tell him the good news.

Saila remained in quarantine in the intensive care unit for several weeks. During this time, Zachary visited her regularly and offered her support from outside the glass of her sealed room. The doctors and nurses often commented on Zachary’s nobility and how lucky Saila was to have such a dedicated employer. “We’ve never seen a boss like him,” they often said, acknowl­edging the extra­or­dinary lengths Zachary went to to ensure Saila’s well-being.

A new attitude to life

Saila’s recovery was not without challenges. The initial ups and downs included the risk of organ rejection and infec­tions, which required rehos­pi­tal­ization on several occasions. Zachary’s unwavering support never wavered during these difficult times. He ensured that Saila received the best medical care and that her recovery went as smoothly as possible.

Over time, Saila’s health stabi­lized. Her kidney function returned to normal and she was able to lead a somewhat normal life again. The lifelong need for medication was a small price to pay for the gift of life she had received. Saila’s gratitude to Zachary and the anonymous donor was immea­surable and she looked forward to continuing her work supporting Zachary and his beloved dogs.

Reach out to the donor’s family

Zachary and Saila tried to contact the donor’s family through the hospital in hopes of expressing their gratitude. They under­stood the immense loss the family had suffered and wanted to honor the donor’s memory. “Our message to them is one of great gratitude, but also deep sadness that they have lost their loved one. “We hope we can help honor the memory of their loved one who was a hero and saved Saila’s life,” said Zachary.

Reflections and effects

The journey to save Saila Grace Sevil­leno’s life left an indelible mark on both her and her Zachary Cefaratti. For Saila, the experience was trans­for­mative. She once faced a grim diagnosis as a house­keeper, but thanks to her employer’s extra­or­dinary kindness and deter­mi­nation, she was able to start a new life. She continues to work for Zachary, supporting him and his dogs and is deeply grateful for the oppor­tunity to live a fulfilling life.

For Zachary, the experience was equally profound. “It was one of the most fulfilling experi­ences of my life. I am so happy to be able to help someone who is a shining light in the world. It was extremely uplifting for me personally and profes­sionally it helped me realize that I had to overcome challenges,” he remembers. Zachary’s actions have shown that true leadership goes beyond the boardroom and includes empathy, compassion and unwavering support for those in need. He shared that he would do the same for everyone on his team and that he would always support anyone who works for him to overcome personal challenges.

A lesson in humanity

Zachary’s commitment to Saila’s well-being has not gone unnoticed. Doctors and nurses who witnessed his dedication often described him as “noble” and expressed that they had never seen an employer go to such great lengths for a domestic worker. Her admiration for Zachary’s actions under­scores the rarity of such selflessness in today’s world.

Saila’s story is also a poignant reminder of the impor­tance of treating domestic workers with dignity and respect. Zachary hopes her story will inspire others to show love and appre­ci­ation for the hard work and dedication of domestic workers, who often face difficult circum­stances.

Gratitude and progress

Today, Saila is healthy and looks forward to continuing her work with Zachary. Her story is a testament to the power of kindness and the profound impact one person’s actions can have on another person’s life. Zachary and Saila remain hopeful that one day they will be able to personally thank the family of the anonymous donor who saved their life.

Zachary’s journey with Saila was a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have when they choose to care deeply for another. It is a story of resilience, compassion and the extra­or­dinary bonds that can form between people from different walks of life. As Saila continues to thrive, she and Zachary illus­trate the profound truth that love and kindness can actually save lives.