A Mother's Plea: Overcoming Hardship

I am on the brink of financial bankruptcy due to my son Joe's 10-year battle with a rare form of cancer known as Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS). Joe died on the morning of Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and I am unable to pay the next several months' rent nor pay the monthly bills that will come due. I've been a single mom since he was 5 years old and have worked consistently in corporate America since he was diagnosed at the age of 12. However, in September 2024, the cancer became unstoppably vicious, rendering Joe partially paralyzed from a stroke. While taking care of Joe in December 2024, I broke all five of my lumbar vertebrae and was hospitalized for 3 weeks. The pharmaceutical corporation I worked for released me from employment when my doctor said it might be a couple of months before I could resume work duties.

So, I have been unable to accept any work for the past several months due to not only my medical issue, but also my son's worsening condition. Now that my sweet Joe is no longer suffering, I've come to ask for your help and your kindness. My apartment lease ends in August and I'm already looking for a more affordable housing situation. Even in the thick fog of grief, I realize the direness of my situation. I hope to collect enough funds to allow me five to six months of living expenses, so I have some breathing room with the current high unemployment rate in the country.

Thank you so much for reaching out to help me, whether you personally know me or not. Your kindness will not be forgotten, and you have helped to save my life at its absolute lowest point. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Love,

Bridget Agnello (and Joe too)