My name is Leticia, and Karina is one of my dearest friends. When I called her on her birthday, I was met with devastating news.

On September 23, Karina and her mother-in-law, Simone, were crossing the street with Karina’s 10-month-old son, Lucas, when they were hit by an impaired driver. In those terrifying final moments, Karina and Simone did the only thing that mattered: they pushed Lucas’s stroller out of the car’s path. Lucas was unharmed. Karina and Simone were not.

Simone is now in the ICU in a minimally conscious state, with a traumatic brain injury, fractures to her spine and pelvis, and multiple other serious injuries. She protected her grandson with everything she had.

Karina is a speech-language pathologist who has dedicated her life to helping children and their families. She is now facing fractures to her pelvis, knee, foot and teeth, as well as injuries throughout her body. She is beginning a long and difficult journey towards walking again. For now, she cannot work or care for Lucas as she normally would.

Luiz is carrying the weight of the family, dividing his time between the hospital and caring for his son and Karina.

After years of hope and prayers, Lucas was the miracle Karina and her husband, Luiz, had long dreamed of. Simone had travelled from Brazil to the United States to help care for her grandson and spend precious time with her family. Because Simone was visiting from Brazil, she has only limited travel insurance. It will cover only a small part of the intensive care and long-term treatment she needs in the United States, leaving the family with costs far beyond what they can manage alone.

Funds raised will help support:

All funds will go directly to Karina and Luiz, who will manage everything.

Karina has never asked for help in this way, so I am asking for her. I cannot be there beside my best friend through every moment of this, but this is something I can do for her and her family.

Karina knows my deepest secrets and my biggest dreams. She is my dearest friend, and I want more than anything to see her through this. If you have ever met her, you will know that she is one of the kindest, most loving people you could ever meet.

Any contribution, no matter the amount, will mean more than words can express. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page. Your support, prayers and kindness will help carry this family through an unimaginably difficult time.

I will share updates whenever possible. We are profoundly grateful that Lucas was spared, and we continue to hope and pray for Karina’s healing and Simone’s recovery.

Thank you for standing with Karina, Simone, Lucas and Luiz.

With love and gratitude,

Leticia