I have known the Paz family for three years since my daughter introduced me to her classmate, Sophia.  I just learned the day before Christmas last year that Sophia is sick and had tested positive for the Covid 19 virus.  Sophia had shared that her entire family:  her parents, Myra and Gerardo as well as her brothers, Carlos and Paolo tested positive for the virus as well.    

     Gerardo works in Virginia and had a friend who sought his help to do a job that required him to go to the Philippines.  He decided to take the flight to the Philippines via New Jersey so he can visit his family who lives here.  He had taken a Covid test prior to the scheduled flight and tested negative.  He had a mild cough then but since he tested negative for Covid, the family thought it was just a cough.   His cough worsened upon arrival to the Philippines and by then his family had all been feeling sick here in the US.   He ended up being admitted to Makati Medical Center and tested positive for Covid.   His family in the US all took the Covid 19 test and everyone tested positive for the virus.   Gerardo spent several weeks in the hospital in the Philippines.  

     Meanwhile, Sophia and her family who are here in New Jersey had been unprepared for the Covid diagnosis.  They had been unable to shop for food and supplies and everyone really started having coughs and fever.  Eventually, an ambulance was called when Sophia had difficulty breathing the day after Christmas but she was told to stay home since her blood oxygen level is ok.   Two days after, Myra was admitted to the hospital for respiratory distress due to Covid.  She is still in the hospital right now.  Sophia is taking care of her brothers.  Her dad had just been released from the hospital in the Philippines a few days ago.

     I would like to appeal for help for the Paz family in their time of need.  Everyone in the family had been unable to work and both Sophia’s parents had incurred significant expenses due to hospitalization and treatment.   All of the kids are going through their own healing process and are all confined in their home for the mandatory quarantine until they all test negative.   We are expressing our heartfelt appreciation for your generous donation to help the Paz family in this time of need.    Thank you so much!