On January 15th, our family’s world changed forever. My older brother José, age 51, underwent open-heart surgery involving three bypasses, an aortic valve replacement, and replacement of part of his main artery (ascending aorta) due to a life-threatening aneurysm. By the grace of God and the incredible medical team who cared for him, José survived a procedure that saved his life. We are beyond grateful for this miracle.

But José’s journey did not end there.

On January 25th, José was rushed back to the hospital after doctors discovered a dangerous buildup of fluid around his heart. The following day, further testing revealed another serious complication — the breastbone that had been opened during surgery was not healing properly and had become unstable. The metal wires holding his chest together had shifted, putting him at significant risk.

Because of this, doctors made the urgent decision to reopen José’s chest to address multiple life-threatening issues at once. During this surgery, they removed the fluid around his heart and placed drainage tubes to prevent it from returning. They also removed the displaced wires and reconstructed and reinforced his breastbone using additional supportive wiring to stabilize the weakened bone. After strengthening the area, his chest was carefully closed again and secured to allow proper healing.

This unexpected second major surgery greatly increased José’s pain, recovery time, and physical limitations — making his healing journey far longer and more difficult than originally expected.

José is not just my brother — he is my hero. He is a loving and caring father of two, an amazing son, and one of the kindest people you could meet. He lives simply and humbly. He never asks for anything and gives without hesitation. If someone needs help, José is already there — no questions asked.

He is also my best friend. He’s the only person who understands every movie quote I throw his way — every line, every reference, every inside joke. He has always been my constant support and safe place. And the truth is… José would never ask for help himself. That’s exactly why we are asking for him.

Because of the seriousness of his surgeries and complications, doctors have instructed that José must remain out of work for an extended period. What was once expected to be a short recovery has now become a 5–6 month healing process, during which he will have no income. Yet life does not pause. He still faces essential living expenses including housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, transportation, medications, and follow-up medical care.

This is where we come in.

Our greatest wish is for José to focus entirely on healing — without the added stress of mounting bills and financial pressure. By coming together as a community, we can help lift this burden from him and his family.

Our goal is to support José for six months, helping cover part of his essential expenses and giving him the time, stability, and peace of mind he needs to recover properly.

Funds raised will be used to help with:

• Housing and utilities

• Groceries and basic necessities

• Medical copays, prescriptions, and rehabilitation

• Transportation to doctor appointments

• Daily living expenses while he is unable to work

We believe God carried José through these surgeries, and we believe He continues to work through the love and generosity of others. Every donation, every share, and every prayer is a blessing that strengthens his healing and reminds our family that we are not alone.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with José. Thank you for supporting our family. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness, compassion, and generosity.