Why did that guy ask for donations? Not knowing any details admittedly, but why wouldn't his mother's care fall under the "end-stage renal disease" program? It's been on the books here in the US since, what, the 70's? Free dialysis. No other disease enjoys such favor (that I can recall). At any rate, what would $10,000 alleviate given the burden of medical bills a terminal patient would (likely) be billled? It's like spitting into the ocean.
Opiate abusers are highly manipulative. Hell, most substance abusers are. Pretty much the only lesson reinforced.