Hello, everyone!

My name is Iris Aleida Pinzón Arteaga, and I’m an international graduate student living in Albany. In 2023, during my first year of my PhD, I was struggling emotionally, feeling overwhelmed and far from home. That’s when Akira came into my life—and everything changed.

Akira is now two years old, and from the moment she arrived as a tiny kitten, she has filled our home with joy. She loves chasing her toys, leaping into the air to "hunt" us, and curling up by my side every night. Her playful energy and silly antics have made us laugh through some of our toughest days.

Recently, Akira was diagnosed with heart failure. It was devastating to hear, but the good news is that she is responding well to treatment, and our vet believes she has more time ahead to enjoy life with the right care. We had insurance, but it will only cover $2,500, which isn’t enough to cover the full cost of the ongoing treatment she needs to stay stable and comfortable.

We’re doing everything we can to help her breathe more easily and continue being the loving, playful companion who has given us so much. If you're able to help—through a donation or simply by sharing our story—we would be deeply grateful. Every bit of support means more time for Akira to chase her toys, nap by my side, and keep being the little spark of happiness in our home.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Update:

Akira was discharged from the ER and is responding well to medications. This is a chronic condition and she will need constant care, medication and regular testing. We are committed to give her the best quality of life as possible. We were able to pay her treatment taking a financing option and your help will truly make the difference.

Thank you all for the help and support.