Gonzalo Saavedra Memorial Fund

Gonzalo was a dear friend of ours for over forty years. We recently lost him after a long battle with cancer at the age of 58. Gonzo came to this country and worked very hard to learn English, obtain an education and become a great provider for his family. He was married to his wife Sandra for over 30 years and blessed with a daughter, Karina. He was a proud father to say the least! Gonzo loved to converse with everyone he knew and anyone he met. You better believe that Karina was a constant topic of conversation and how proud he was of her when she got accepted to the University of Washington for her undergrad and then the prestigious Johns Hopkins University’s nursing program. This was a dream come true for him knowing that his little girl was not only going to become a successful adult but also be giving back as a healthcare provider to those in need.

Gonzo’s journey through his cancer battle truly gave him a new appreciation for doctors, nurses, medical technicians, health aids and all the caring personnel that made his scary moments just a little better. There wasn’t anything he wanted more in this world than to see his little girl graduate. Unfortunately, his time here with us was cut short but all he asked for in his final days was to make sure that his daughter finished at Johns Hopkins. As you can imagine the expenses from these 2 schools have been astronomical and now Sandra will need to manage all the financial burdens of these debts along with all of Gonzo’s medical cost.

He was a proud man that spent his life giving (not asking) and caring for others. I know my friend would have given anything to do what it took to get Karina to the finish line but sadly he is not here to do so. Please help Gonzo’s dying wish come true by giving in any way you can to help with Karina’s college expenses so that she can complete her Masters in Nursing at John’s Hopkins. Although he will not be able to be at her graduation in person, we all know he will be the biggest presence there! Thank you for helping make the dream of this incredible man come true.