Joe and Tuffy Molina, if you know them, then you know they don't know a stranger. Joe is always full of life and has a funny joke for all of us, and Tuffy is such a great person to everyone that surrounds her. It is at one of the hardest times in the year, that I must share their story with you, in hopes of easing the financial burdens and stress that come along with these medical issues.

In September of last year, Joe suffered a devastating injury, breaking both his femur and tibia. What was expected to be a long recovery quickly turned into a nightmare when he developed a severe staph infection. Joe remained hospitalized from September through March and endured four painful surgeries that caused significant damage to his tendons. During this prolonged hospital stay, his restless leg syndrome worsened, resulting in painful ulcers forming on both of his heels.

Since March, Tuffy and Joe have been in and out of the hospital nonstop. Joe has attended hyperbaric treatments four days a week along with ongoing wound care, all in hopes of healing the ulcers and preventing further complications. Despite every effort, his condition continued to decline. In November, Joe became critically ill and was hospitalized once again due to infection. Faced with an impossible decision, Tuffy and Joe made the heartbreaking choice to proceed with an amputation.

Within just 30 minutes of receiving a necessary blood transfusion, Joe suffered a severe reaction and his fever spiked. Soon after, he developed a bone infection, a blood infection, and infections in his ports. He is currently receiving IV antibiotics three times a week and taking three different antibiotics daily as Tuffy and Joe continue fighting for his recovery. They are holding on to hope that an above-the-knee amputation can be avoided, but right now they are living in a painful waiting period.

Throughout this long and exhausting journey, Tuffy has been unable to work, dedicating all of her time to caring for Joe, attending hospital visits, and managing his treatments. As medical bills continue to pile up and daily expenses go unmet, their financial situation has become increasingly dire. This has been especially difficult during such a hard time of year. Any support, whether through prayers, donations or sharing this fundraiser, would mean more than words can express and would help ease an overwhelming burden as they continue this fight together.

All donations will directly go into Tuffy Molina's name so she can immediately begin to use these funds.