My name is Chris Coco. I'm writing this, and am raising funds on behalf of the recently injured Ando Valencia. Everyone and anyone that knows Ando, knows that he's humble, loyal, and "always working, always broke" (a motto of his that he’s made stickers for). We're both bike messengers, and we co-founded the New York City Bike Messenger Association (NYCBMA). Not only is Ando my BMA partner, but he's like a brother to me in messlife. On the night of Saturday, March 21st, Ando was caught off guard and attacked on his way home, not whilst riding his bike as he usually would, but in between subway transferring. Modest and stubborn as he is, and devoted to covering his bills and rent for his loving partner, Stephanie, and their sweet and soft dog, Martha, he committed to work the following week and in a way tried to deny his own pain. The very day this happened, he and I had volunteered our time to host a fun community event amongst friends and acquaintances to celebrate the end of a race series, with awards that the two of us fundraised and sought out so that the winners of the series would have apt prizes.

A few days later after work, Ando hosted another event for the NYC bike community to promote a local artist’s photo exhibit. Still working, Ando mentioned to me his having been attacked… I had not heard about until that moment. He asked if I could finish his last delivery assigned to him, located in Gravesend, which would have had Ando finishing work very far from home (Jackson Heights). Without hesitation, I agreed. Ando hasn't been able to continue working since then, but he finally made time for himself to be examined and diagnosed, learning that he had torn his calf muscle when he fell during the attack.

As mentioned, Ando and I unconditionally volunteer our time to our little inclusive cycling community in NYC, promoting one another and fundraising for redistribution of time, care, and funds throughout the community. We're bike messengers, we look out for each other. We seek nothing for our time and effort but the betterment of our community and each individual within it. We get injured on the job often enough as it is, and as much as we try to avoid traffic collisions, even commuting home on our transit system puts us at the risk of others with mal-intent. Ando is working as much as he can to support his recently injured partner of 18 years on her long journey to recovery, and their beloved and particularly soft dog, Martha. The doctor advises that he stays home to recover for the next 6-8 weeks. WE (Ando's family and friends), strongly advised that he does exactly as the doctor suggests! We urge him not to work, let alone stress at all.

As part of the BMA, Ando and I have organized many fundraisers in the past, including for those that have been injured. We're sourcing all we can as a community effort, and ask to please help not just Ando on his road to recovery, but his partner, Steph, as well, to relieve them from work duty, that is, advised to stand-by! We put forward this loving effort in an attempt to help cover their rent and their bills during their time of lessened physical capability, so that they may rest and heal properly. They give so much to the community, of those with and without bikes alike. They’re lovely people who care so dearly for others and they ought to have the opportunity to spend these next few weeks/months with ease and support from the community they so willingly support.