Hello, my name is Gabriel. I’m 28 years old, and I live with rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, chronic pain, and severe intestinal disease.

For a long time, I relied on Xeljanz to manage my pain and inflammation. Unfortunately, it eventually stopped working, and my condition worsened to the point where surgery removing part or even all of my intestine became a real possibility.

Recently, my doctors started me on a new medication called Stelara, and for the first time in a long while, it is helping. While this treatment has brought much needed relief and hope, my condition is still chronic and requires continuous monitoring, ongoing medication, lab work, imaging, and frequent medical appointments to ensure the treatment continues to work.

In addition to my physical illnesses, I also live with myopia, ADHD, severe anxiety, and severe depression. Chronic pain, fatigue, and mental health struggles make it extremely difficult to work consistently or maintain a normal daily routine.

The financial burden of medications, treatments, lab tests, imaging, doctor visits, and transportation continues to be overwhelming. This campaign helps me stay on Stelara, continue my medical care, and protect the progress I’ve made so I can avoid surgery and keep moving forward.

Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing my story, truly makes a difference. It means stability, continued treatment, and hope during a very fragile time in my life.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any help you can offer. Your kindness means more than I can put into words.