John River is pleading for help after experiencing what he says is a debilitating, unexplained series of medical emergencies.

Last Thursday night, the 23-year-old Canadian rapper (real name Matthew Derrick-Huie) took to Twitter to reveal to his 11,000 followers, "I'm sick and I need immediate help." In the first of many tweets, Derrick-Huie also specified that he was dictating these messages to his mother, who wrote them out on Twitter for him. (CBC Music has spoken to Derrick-Huie's management to confirm this.)

Good Evening. My name is Matthew Derrick-Huie, I'm 23 years old my birthday is September 29th 1994 and I live in Mississauga, ON Can. I'm speaking my Mom will be typing these messages. I'm sick and I need immediate help. The following thread is my story. — John River (@LetsSaveMatthew) January 19, 2018

Derrick-Huie says that his struggles began with chest pain, for which doctors at two different local Mississauga hospitals repeatedly told him was the result of anxiety. But in his tweets, he details how his symptoms continued to worsen every time he was released from the hospital. Aside from anxiety, Derrick-Huie was diagnosed with a few different potential illnesses, including pericarditis and GBS (Guillain-Barré syndrome), "a disease that causes paralysis if untreated," as he was told.

To test for the latter, Derrick-Huie says he got a lumbar puncture. Soon, as he described in his tweets, he began having trouble with his vision and hearing. "I can't see, and now I'm having trouble hearing," he tweeted. "He [my doctor] tells me I'm just depressed and it's anxiety."

4 wks ago, someone stuck a needle in my spine. Since then, I've lost my vision, hearing, and ability to control my brain. We've tried admitting me to a hospital on 4 occasions. 2 doctors think there's fluid leaking from my brain but they can't get approval for anybody to fix me. — John River (@LetsSaveMatthew) January 19, 2018

"I've fallen through the cracks of our health care system," he continued. "My family and friends have done everything they can, but they can't do any more." Derrick-Huie concluded by leaving his email address — letssavejohn@gmail.com — and pleading for help.

Since then, a number of fans and Canadian artists have responded online, sharing his story. Many are using the hashtag #LetsSaveMatthew.

Jessie Reyez tweeted Friday morning:

If you know a DR or someone in the health care system that can help please read this @LetsSaveMatthew https://t.co/pPJE6orry1 — Jessie Reyez (@Jessiereyez) January 19, 2018

And allie sent her "thoughts and prayers."

heartbreaking. you’re in my thoughts and prayers ❤️ #LetsSaveMatthew https://t.co/YbivVApPnN — a l l i e (@alliemoves) January 19, 2018

Canadian basketball player Dillon Brooks asked his fans for help.

Please read this entire thread! Help my friend from back home if you can. Thank you ! #LetsSaveMatthew https://t.co/wlKffkJ1LL — Dillon Brooks (@dillonbrooks24) January 19, 2018

A more recent tweet was posted this morning by Derrick-Huie's father, thanking everyone for their support but noting "we just can't accept any money," instead asking for medical assistance and facilitation. A Go Fund Me page and a separate Twitter account called @letssavejohn were created, but the rapper's management team clarified that neither of those are "legitimate" and Derrick-Huie's father has requested that the Go Fund Me page be taken down.

Back on Dec. 26, a brief message was posted on John River's Facebook page by his management, saying that he was hospitalized and "is battling for his health and future."