Hi friends,

Asking for help like this doesn’t come naturally to me.

Much of my life has been devoted to caring for others. For years, I worked at UCSF supporting Latino families as an interpreter and advocate, sitting beside them through frightening diagnoses, hospital stays, and moments of deep uncertainty. I’ve also dedicated my work to grief support — holding space for people during loss and illness.

I’m usually the one people call when things fall apart.

This year, things fell apart for me.

On January 10th while i was in London, I suffered a sudden heart attack and was rushed into emergency procedure in the middle of the night. Doctors placed a stent and saved my life.

But the procedure couldn’t be completed. I became sick during it, and they had to stop. Another blocked artery still needs treatment, which means I now need a second cardiac catheterization and likely another stent.

Because I’m not a UK resident, the hospital care is billed privately, and my insurance covers only a small portion. The costs are overwhelming.

At the same time, my father is fighting multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer. He can’t work, and I’m helping cover his medical and living expenses while trying to recover myself.

Suddenly, I’m both the caregiver and the patient.

When I return to Argentina, I will also need private health insurance due to my heart condition, which will cost between $700 and $1,000 per month — an added expense I simply can’t manage after all of this.

So I’m asking for help to cover:

• €5,000–€10,000 — London emergency heart procedure

• €5,000 — second cardiac procedure in Lisbon

• €2,000 — travel for treatment and family support

• €15,000 — ongoing medical and recovery expenses

Total goal: approximately €27,000–€32,000, depending on final bills.

If you’re able to contribute, even a small amount truly helps. And sharing this page means just as much.

Thank you for walking beside me in this moment.

In a life devoted to caring for others, I’m finally learning how to ask to be cared for.

With gratitude,

Silvio