Help Hugo and Lisa with Medical Bills

Hello, I’m sending this request for help on behalf of my friend, colleague, and mentor, Lisa Johnson de Gordillo and her husband Hugo. Lisa is a valued faculty member at Michigan Tech and a brilliant artist. She has one of the best hearts of anyone I know, and would go out of her way to help someone. Originally from Guatemala, Hugo is an eloquent poet and a skilled writer. He is a person of integrity who fiercely loves his family- of which rescue dog Sarah is an important member. Hugo can be seen regularly walking Sarah around Houghton in all weather.

I’m part of a group of women athletes in the Copper Country who meet regularly for runs, walks, and all manner of athletic endeavors- Lisa is a founding member of this group. Over the past few years, we have become so much more than just workout buddies: we celebrate each other’s wins and support each other through challenging times. This is one such difficult time for the Gordillo family.

Hugo has been suffering since early 2023 with an aggressive and debilitating illness that was originally deemed to be tuberculosis. Last week, his health began to deteriorate at a frightening rate, as he lost feeling in his arms and legs, became confused, and suffered a fall. A CT revealed late-stage cancer in his lungs, brain, and spine.

Lisa and Hugo made an emergency trip to the Mayo clinic in Rochester, MN on Wednesday, seven hours from home. Our resources in the Keweenaw are not equipped to handle multi-system organ failure, and they needed a larger team for his care. They stayed three nights in the hospital, where doctors worked to determine what they were really dealing with and if Hugo could be treated.

The brain cancer has affected Hugo’s nerves: he cannot walk nor use his hands, and Hugo is not himself. He is returning home where he will have in-home hospice care until he passes.

Those of us who love Lisa and Hugo ask that you donate to this Go Fund Me endeavor to assist them with the burden of travel to and from Mayo and the mounting medical bills they are incurring. The Gordllios have health insurance but many aspects of Hugo’s needs are outside of coverage. While at Mayo, they saw teams of pulmonologists, neurologists, oncologists, and a palliative care team, as well as social workers to help Lisa prepare for his upcoming needs. Hugos’ return trip requires a private ambulance from Mayo, as he is not stable enough to return by car. When he returns home, some hospice items are covered, but others are not. Lisa is focused on keeping Hugo’s quality of life as high as possible and with as much dignity as possible, until he dies. She wants to do everything needed to keep him comfortable and as pain free as possible.

Understandably, Lisa is overwhelmed with these recent events. She has asked that folks refrain from reaching out as she navigates their new situation. The most important thing at this point is maintaining Hugo’s wishes and dignity, as he prepares to die, hopefully peacefully, at home.

Go Fund Me takes a small fee to keep the organization running, but the majority of your donation goes to the Gordillo family. As you complete your transaction, there will be an option for a tip: please know that the tip funds go 100% to Go Fund Me. If you wish to donate additional funds that way, please do so, otherwise we wanted full disclosure about the process.