My name is Haila. I’m 38, a mom to an amazing 12-year-old daughter, and I’m asking for a little help getting back on my feet. I was born with a congenital heart defect that wasn’t discovered until I was 21. Since then, I’ve undergone four major heart operations, survived two times when my heart stopped, and had a pacemaker placed in 2019. Through it all, my daughter has been my strength and my reason to keep fighting. There were moments when I wasn’t sure I would get another chance at life, but I did, and I’ve never stopped fighting for our future.

For the past six years, I’ve worked on the ocean as a second captain aboard a commercial sportfishing vessel out of Long Beach, California. The ocean is more than my career. It’s my passion, my purpose, and where I feel most alive. I’m now working toward a new beginning by building a small commercial fishing business. I have a boat, but right now it needs a few more things to get it off the dock, including repairs, equipment, safety requirements, maintenance, and fuel. After putting everything I had into this dream, I can’t make that final step on my own.

I’m not asking for a handout. I’m asking for a chance to work, rebuild, and create a stable future for my daughter and me. Every donation, no matter how small, brings me one step closer. If you can’t donate, simply sharing my story would mean the world to us. Thank you for believing in me and helping us get one step closer to a fresh start. With love and gratitude, Haila