For Alicia and Family

Alicia is the most vibrant person you'd ever have the pleasure to meet. She is witty, outspoken, and she will crack the most inappropriate jokes at the most appropriate times. Alicia and I met just last year, but you'd think we've known each other for years, and that's because we have the pleasure of sharing DNA. Alicia is my cousin, whom until we met, we both felt kinda out of place. We just clicked, we understood each other's sense of humor, we both talk way too much, have way too much sarcasm and have no qualms about blowing up your phone with unsolicited memes.

Unfortunately, Alicia suffered Postpartum cardiomyopathy after the birth of her 3rd child. She spent four months in the hospital and was sent home with an LVAD machine pumping her heart, while she waited for a heart transplant. Shortly after her release, she suffered a brain bleed and required emergency surgery. She fought hell and high water and came home. However, with any new medical technology, risks are always possible. Yesterday January 12th Alicia suffered a massive stroke. She was rushed into the hospital where she underwent major brain surgery. The prognosis at this time is not good at all and although we are holding out hope, doctors have advised things are not ever going to be normal again.

Alicia has 3 children under 5, and her partner Jerik has had to take time off work for the last year to help care for Alicia and their children. They have a beautiful family with a large support network, but sometimes even that can't prepare a family for the financial aspects when a loved one becomes ill. So I have taken it upon myself to start a go fund me to help raise money for Jerik and the kids during these difficult times. Although Jerik would never ask for help, I believe he deserves it more than anything. He has stood by Alicia and been a huge support and he has been an amazing father to their children. I am holding out hope that Alicia will make it home, and if she does she will be on a long road to recovery, but if the doctor's prognosis is true, they'll need a lot more help in the coming days, weeks and months. If you can donate to help this beautiful family, or just share this that would be the greatest gift.

Alicia - I love you Tin man, find your way home on the yellow brick road... wherever that leads you.