My name is Soroosh Ehteshami, and I am organizing this fundraiser in honor of my friend of 44 years, Hugo Huerta. On November 4, 2025, Hugo passed away unexpectedly at the age of 54, just one day before his 55th birthday, due to complications from COVID. His loss has left all of us grieving — but most of all, it has left his new wife, Carol Joy, suddenly alone in a country far from home, without the support or stability she needs to rebuild her life.

A Love Story Cut Short

Hugo met Carol Joy, a citizen of the Philippines, more than four years ago. They fell in love, built a beautiful long-distance relationship, and eventually married in December of last year. They were planning a future together — a family, shared dreams, and humanitarian work both in the U.S. and the Philippines.

Tragically, that future was taken from them.

Who Was Hugo?

Hugo was a courageous, intelligent, and deeply compassionate man. In the first 18 years of his professional life, Hugo was a successful food service / dairy operational manager, managing a team of up to 100 people. Having been born with an aortic heart valve that required a transplant every 10 years – he endured strokes at each decade of his life that forced him to relearn how to walk and speak and later, partial paralysis. Despite these setbacks, he turned these hardships into a mission to help others. Beginning 15 years ago, he dedicated his life to supporting people recovering from brain injury, leading in-person and online classes, and in conjunction with PossAbilities at Loma Linda University, visiting patients to give them hope, and creating a weekly comedy program to bring joy to those who were suffering, among his many initiatives to help those suffering from brain injury. He dreamed of opening a wellness center in the Philippines and sponsoring children who could not afford school.

He lived a life of service, humor, and resilience — and I am proud to have called him a good friend for more than four decades.

Carol Joy’s Situation

Carol Joy is from Davao City, Philippines and is the oldest of six siblings. She now faces the overwhelming task of navigating grief, immigration, housing, and daily living expenses — all without her husband and only source of financial support.

Until her immigration process is complete, she is unable to work, and she urgently needs help to remain stable as she rebuilds her life and continues some of Hugo’s legacy of helping others.

How Your Contribution Helps

Your donation will go directly toward Carol Joy’s essential expenses for the next year, as well as the costs related to Hugo’s passing:

• Housing: $18,000/year

• Utilities: $3,420/year

• Food: $6,600/year

• Transportation: $2,400/year

• Health Insurance: $5,700/year

• Miscellaneous expenses: $4800/year

• Immigration Attorney /filing fees: $7,000 (one-time)

Total Needed: $48,619

This support will give Carol Joy time to grieve, stabilize, complete her immigration process, and eventually become self-sufficient here in the United States.

How You Can Help

I am asking for contributions in any amount.

If you are unsure what to give, a suggested donation of $30 can make a big difference when combined with others.

Please help me honor Hugo’s memory by supporting the woman he loved — and by giving Carol Joy the stability she needs to remain in the U.S. and carry forward some of the meaningful work Hugo began.

GoFundMe deducts 2.9% + $0.30 per donation for processing; approximately 97% of your gift will go directly to Carol Joy.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Soroosh Ehteshami

Redlands, California