Hello, my name is Alicia Santamaria. This fundraiser is for my pastor and dear friend, Rev. Álvaro Durán.

Álvaro is the eldest son in his family and has long been the primary provider for them in El Salvador, especially for his sister Stephanie, who lived with a cognitive disability and lifelong developmental challenges.

Over the past five years her health declined significantly after she developed Parkinson’s syndrome and other neurological complications. For the last three years she required specialized care around the clock, and during the past year she had been living in a modest assisted-living facility where she could receive the support she needed.

After spending the past month in the hospital fighting a highly resistant infection, Stephanie passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026 at the age of 47.

Throughout these difficult years, Álvaro has faithfully covered the costs of her care and medical treatment. In this final month alone, he paid for hospitalization, medication, and specialized care, and he is now facing the additional costs of funeral, burial, and final expenses.

To help his family during this emergency, Álvaro had to withdraw money from the savings he had carefully set aside for his taxes. As a clergyperson, taxes are not automatically withheld from his salary, so he responsibly saves part of each pay cheque for that purpose. With the April 15th tax deadline approaching, it is urgent that he replenish those savings while also covering the remaining expenses related to Stephanie’s passing.

Due to limited resources, Álvaro has not been able to travel to El Salvador to be physically present with his family during this time but is grateful he has been able to support them from afar.

Your donation will help Álvaro with outstanding medical and hospital bills, pharmacy and specialized care costs, funeral services and burial, and final expenses related to Stephanie’s care and passing.

Any size donation is very appreciated. Thank you! Gracias de todo corazón y que Dios les bendiga.