I’m writing this on behalf of my friend’s daughter, whose life has been defined not by ease, but by perseverance, compassion, and determination.

As a young person, she faced challenges that would have overwhelmed many. School was not always a safe or supportive place for her, and learning came with added obstacles. Eventually, she attended a specialized high school program designed to help students find their footing. What could have defined her by struggle instead became the place where her resilience, discipline, and determination truly took shape.

While in that program, she had the opportunity to take a college course at Harper College. She chose medical terminology — one of the most challenging introductory courses — and not only succeeded but excelled. That experience sparked her passion for medicine and caring for others.

From there, she pushed forward relentlessly. She became an EMT, then a paramedic, finishing at the top of her class both times. After a strenuous 12-hour shift, while driving home exhausted, she came upon a serious accident involving a motorcyclist and a semi-truck. Diesel fuel covered the road, yet she crawled under the trailer to pull the injured rider to safety. When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics were guys she went to school with and asked if she wanted to help and ride with them to the hospital.

Still, she wanted to do more.

She applied to and was accepted into one of the nation’s top nursing programs at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Her instructors were especially impressed by her technical writing skills and clinical excellence.

After graduation, she followed her dream of moving to Denver so she could experience the mountains and nature. There, she worked in a private pediatric nursing role caring for a child with special needs that needed 24/7 nursing care. Though encouraged to move on to a hospital position, she stayed because she believed he wouldn’t receive the care he needed without her. During that time, she helped him learn how to use a new communication device using his eyes, and helped him get a specialized, molded wheelchair so that anyone could take him out of the house. And she also acquired a specialized chair so he could go to other parts of house and participate in family events.

When that family moved to California, she joined one of Denver’s top children’s hospitals in the country. She has since received numerous accolades and is frequently asked to precept nursing students. Many specifically request her again, praising her patience, teaching style, and clinical knowledge. Most recently, she earned her CPN Certification [Certified Pediatric Nurse] passing the exam on her first attempt.

Professionally, her story is one of remarkable success. Personally, and financially, however, she is struggling.

Living alone in Denver is extremely expensive, leaving little room to save. She picks up extra shifts just to try to get ahead, while also managing a hefty student loan balance that she can only afford to pay interest on. Ongoing vehicle maintenance has added to the strain, and recently she faced the heartbreak of losing her 18-year-old cat despite having spent quite a bit on medical care. Now her dog, Gaia — her closest companion — has undergone a second, and very expensive major surgery after a cancer scare totaling $9,000. Keeping Gaia alive and cared for has been emotionally and financially overwhelming, but she simply couldn’t abandon her.

She had hoped to return to Chicago for Christmas but couldn’t leave her dog after recovering from the latest surgery, so she planned to drive instead — only to learn that her Jeep needed $5,700 in new tires and repairs just to be safe on the road.

Despite all of this, she continues to give everything she has to care for sick children.

Her goal is to advance her career and become a Nurse Practitioner, but recent hospital funding cuts mean she would need to take on even more debt to do so — something she simply cannot manage right now.

This fundraiser is not about a lack of effort or ambition. It’s about helping a truly dedicated healthcare professional get the financial breathing room she needs to move forward instead of constantly falling behind.

Any help — whether through a donation or by sharing this page — would mean more than words can express. She has spent her life helping others. Now, we are asking for a little help for her.