Hello, everyone.

At 11:57 pm on July 27, 2023, I received a text message that my mother (Carmela Sto. Domingo, pictured) was rushed to the hospital via an ambulance—the doctors found out that she's got bleeding in her brain.

If anyone's familiar with the US healthcare system (specifically, Medi-Cal in CA), calling 911 is costly. Up to now, we are still unsure whether or not Medi-Cal will consider my mother's transport to the hospital as a medical necessity. Likely, reading Medi-Cal's stipulations, it would not consider my mom's situation as a medical necessity. This leads me to this place.

I do not like online fundraisers. I firmly believe that we should all have a robust social safety net to care for people and that ambulance calls and medical bills should not lead to anyone's financial ruin. With that said, I'm asking for your help to cover for my mom's medical bills.

She is the most hardworking person that I know; selfless, for she has taken up the courage to bring us to this country from the Philippines; most importantly, she cares for us wholeheartedly. Getting that text message is one of the scariest experiences of my life. I wish that upon no one. That text filled me with worry about my mother's life and a worry about whether or not we would have the money to pay for medical fees. Thank you so much in advance.

With utmost gratitude for your generosity,

Joshua