On March 28, a man believed to be licensed in Colombia, who was unlawfully operating and performing medical procedures out of his home, administered a lethal amount of lidocaine to our dear friend Maria, causing her to go into cardiac arrest. He then attempted to flee the country but was arrested at the airport after passing through security.

Maria was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors discovered she had suffered severe brain damage. She spent two weeks fighting for her life, and it is with great sadness that we share she was pronounced dead on Friday, April 11th, at the age of 31.

Maria’s husband, Theo, is now faced with the painful reality of saying goodbye to the love of his life while also supporting his son Emmanuel through this devastating time. Emmanuel, born four months prematurely and having spent seven months in the NICU, has already overcome countless challenges in his young life. Although a fighter, Emmanuel continues to require various therapies to aid his development. He is now also enduring the unimaginable loss of his mother, further compounding the difficulty of this situation. The emotional and financial strain of this situation is overwhelming, and they need our help.

We are raising funds to help alleviate some of the financial burdens that have come with this tragedy—whether it’s child care costs, medical bills, legal fees, or general support as Theo tries to find his way forward with his 1-year-old son, Emmanuel. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference.