For Ronald's Rojas Children: Help to Move Forward

We are a family consisting of my husband Ronald Rojas, my daughter Isabella Rojas Contreras, Cristian Rojas Contreras, and me, Linda Contreras. In November 2022, we were forced to emigrate from our country to safeguard our lives, victims of the increasing violence affecting the Colombian population.

This country has welcomed us and provided peace, well-being, and sustenance during the most critical times of our lives, for which we are extremely grateful. After a long period, when our emotional, work, and social stability began to improve, life surprised us with a new challenge: the sudden illness of my husband, Ronald Rojas. He began experiencing serious health issues starting in August 2024. Since then, numerous specialized tests were conducted (MRI, CT scan, X-rays, PET scan, bone gammagraphy) with different specialists, which indicated that the tests were normal; however, the laboratory results showed a decrease in hemoglobin with no apparent cause. Days and months passed, and my husband’s health deteriorated further (weight loss, night sweats, high recurrent fever spikes, lack of appetite, weakness, discouragement, dizziness). In December 2024, he was hospitalized for five days, where doctors continued to conduct specialized tests with contrast media, which seemingly yielded no negative results. His lab results remained altered, and his hemoglobin continued to drop. The hospital discharged him, stating that he was in good health.

At home, he continued presenting the same symptoms. Despite his health issues, he made great efforts to return to work. Later, he developed new symptoms, including a full-body rash with constant itching, swelling, and discomfort. I insisted on taking him back to the hospital, but he refused because it was Christmas and New Year's, and he wanted to be with us at home, to somehow be together as a family. He summoned strength from places where he had none, and I can attest that he always tried to put on a brave face to avoid worrying us. Unfortunately, his health worsened. On January 2nd of this year, I took him back to the hospital, where he was admitted because his lab results remained altered, with hemoglobin at 96. They conducted more tests, including a bone marrow biopsy, and every day they drew a lot of blood, causing his hemoglobin levels to drop further. He never received a blood transfusion because the doctors said it wasn’t necessary, and that all tests were fine until January 17, 2025. He called me to say they were going to discharge him, but he refused because he felt very unwell, and no diagnosis had been found for his symptoms and low hemoglobin. That day, they conducted the final liver biopsy and PET scan, which caused an alteration in his nervous system due to the contrast agent. Even though he indicated that the medication caused this side effect, the doctors proceeded with the test.

That afternoon, I visited him with my children and found him very agitated, crying from headaches, chest pain, and nausea. What shocked me most was that he was not receiving the necessary attention or monitoring of vital signs. I asked the doctors and nurses to please help him, as he was very ill, but they ignored my pleas. We witnessed him convulsing and suffering from a cardiorespiratory arrest without any professional care. This episode was later classified as a "code blue," and he was apparently revived when there was nothing more to be done, passing away in our arms.

This moment has marked our lives. The helplessness of feeling that the healthcare system could have done more for him has taken away the person who cared for us, gave us love, protected us, and provided for us as the head of the family. The emptiness left in our lives is irreparable. The sadness and loneliness we feel are overwhelming. As the head of the family, I now have to find strength and hide my tears so my children don’t see me break down because I am their only support in this country. That’s why I turn to the good heart and solidarity of the Canadian community through GoFundMe, asking for your generosity and kindness. Please donate to cover the debts and loans my husband acquired, which I am now responsible for but cannot cover as I do not have an income that allows me to do so. On the contrary, I am now the one who must provide for my children so they can have a better quality of life, and so their hearts can heal, forget, and overcome this difficult and painful event.

I sincerely thank you for any donations you can give, so that in some way, my life can find some relief.

A thousand thanks, may God bless you with health, well-being, and love.

Sincerely,

The Rojas Contreras Family