Dear friends, family, and supporters near and far,

Shortly after returning from a cruise to celebrate her recent engagement, our dear Elizabeth Aquino began experiencing severe headaches. Within days she found herself being life-flighted to Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston in the midst of a life-altering hemorrhagic stroke.

While all strokes are serious medical events, Liz's stroke was particularly severe. The blood clot that caused the stroke covered a full one half of her brain, and a stroke of her type and severity level typically has a 90% mortality rate.

Thankfully, Liz has defied all medical odds. After 24 days of intensive care, 7 additional days in the hospital, and 15 days in a rehabilitation unit learning how to walk and perform basic tasks again, Liz was finally able to return home.

While Liz is bravely working towards regaining her strength and health, the road to recovery will be long and challenging. She is still experiencing long-term effects from her stroke and is currently undergoing lots of therapy to regain strength and learning to adjust to a new way of life.

During this time, both Liz and her fiance Mike are faced with immense physical, emotional, and financial burdens. In the truest gesture of love and caring, Mike has been out of work since Liz's stroke in order to be by her side through her entire journey and ensure that she is receiving the care she needs and deserves. Liz's medical bills are mounting, and it is unclear when Liz will be able to return to her job as an Operating Room manager.

We, their friends and loved ones, have witnessed Mike & Liz's unwavering love and determination. Just three weeks before Liz's stroke, Mike had proposed to her. Now, we have an opportunity to join forces and make a profound difference in their lives. By contributing to this campaign, you'll provide essential support for both medical expenses and living costs during this challenging period. Your generosity will help alleviate the financial burden, allowing Liz and Mike to focus on Liz's recovery and rebuild their lives together.... including getting wedding-ready!

Any small amount will help, and we truly grateful for the outpouring of support already recieved.

Thank you.