Give Gabby Hope: Help Her Thrive After Losing Both Parents

Life isn't fair. It's a lesson we learn sooner or later as we navigate through it. But what's really telling is how we approach life's obstacles and face adversity. We have choices; we can choose to make excuses and complain or we can buckle down, grab adversity by the horns and stay on top.

Those close to Gabby can vouch that she always chooses the latter. Born to Patrick and Helen, Gab has faced plenty of obstacles in her 20 years. While she had loving and supporting parents, I wouldn't describe her life as easy. Gabby was blessed to have spent so much time with her PopPop, Joe, who did whatever he could to provide and make Gabby happy. It was devestating to the family, but especially to Gabby, when she lost her #1 fan back in 2015 to cancer, just one of the many obstacles to come her way.

Gabby continued on her journey always working more than one job at a time while planning her own future. In 2022, she enrolled in college with the goal of attending nursing school after high school. While she's had love and support from family, she's been responsible for all her finances. Gab unexpectedly lost her dad two years ago, 3 months before her high school graduation, and her mom suddenly this week, 2 years and less than one month after her father’s death. She was finally getting to a place where could continue her studies, but each time she finds herself in a better position, she's faced with another hurdle to overcome.

Because Gabby is a repsonsible young adult, she's had to take small breaks throughout her studies, for financial reasons only. She's applied to everything, and in short, is not eligible for additional financial aid, and so pays for her school directly out of her pocket while working a full-time job. She's now tasked with the bills associated with her mom's loss, a funeral, a car payment, rent, bills, school, and the added task of finding health insurance for herself since she was covered under her mom’s.

Gabby continues to make her parents proud. She's never given up in the face of adversity. She never complains. She just picks up and moves forward. She is resilient in many ways others are not. We are raising funds for an exceptional young adult who has done everything right, to help support her goal of completing college. Every little bit will help with the financial burdens that certainly will not stop her, but will slow her. Please consider donating for Gabby. It would mean so much to her to receive this support.