Hello friends and family,

I am reaching out with a heavy but hopeful heart to ask for help for my younger sibling, Gray. After nearly three years of unexplained pain and declining health, they were finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease just six months ago. By the time we got answers, the disease had already taken a serious toll.

Gray has lost over 100 pounds and now weighs just 90 pounds at 22 years old. They struggle to eat, and when they do eat, their body has a hard time absorbing any of the nutrients. They are constantly in pain, exhausted, and struggling just to make it through each day. Despite all of this, they’ve been working nonstop, sometimes juggling two jobs, just trying to survive. But now, it’s reached a breaking point.

There’s no known cure for Crohn’s disease, but therapies can greatly reduce symptoms and even bring about long-term remission and healing. With treatment and rest, many people with Crohn’s can regain some sense of normalcy and begin to truly live again. I’ve seen firsthand how Crohn’s has slowly stolen pieces of Gray’s life. They’re battling one of the most severe forms of the disease, and it's left them anemic, depleted, and in constant pain. There are no pain-free days, only days that hurt less.

When Gray came to visit me in New York, they were so excited to spend time with friends and explore the city, but some days, they couldn’t even leave the apartment. I watched them miss out on moments they’d looked forward to for weeks, and it broke my heart.

More than anything, I’ve seen how hard Gray tries to keep showing up, for work, for loved ones, even when their body is failing them. They carry so much guilt when they have to cancel plans or call out sick, feeling like they’re letting people down, like they always have to explain that they’re not lazy, they’re just really, really sick. This disease hasn’t just attacked their body, it’s chipped away at their confidence, their independence, and the joy they used to feel in everyday life.

Watching Gray suffer through this has been more than heartbreaking. I am so proud of them for fighting every single day to improve their health, but the truth is, they need their community now more than ever. They need time to rest and recover, or they may not survive this.

Right now, they can’t afford to stop working, but continuing at this pace is putting their life at serious risk. We’re trying to raise money to give Gray the chance to take some months off work and focus entirely on their recovery. This amount will help cover their rent, food, and basic needs while they continue to undergo treatment and begin to heal. They have already incurred thousands in medical debt, and any extra amount would go immediately towards that.

We know times are hard for many, but if you’re able to give anything, whether it’s $5, $50, or just sharing this link, it would mean the world to us. Every bit of support brings Gray one step closer to rest, healing, and survival.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I can’t lose my sibling. Please help us restore some health and normalcy to Gray’s life.

With endless love and gratitude,
Hannah Kapuschinsky