I’ve never done this before, and I hope I never have to again, but my family needs help:

My mom, Maria, is currently in the hospital after being diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a serious infection that started in her toe and has now spread to the bone. Right now, she is at risk of losing her toe if she cannot get the medication she urgently needs. Doctors recently placed a PICC line so she can receive strong IV antibiotics every day for the next six weeks. This medication is necessary to try to stop the infection and save her toe, but without insurance, that cost is beyond our means.

Further complicating this, my dad is part of Teamsters Local 631, which went on strike on January 5, 2026 after losing their healthcare coverage. Because of that, my mom currently does not have insurance and does not qualify for Medicaid. Between her hospital stay, the cost of her medication, and basic bills, my family is in a situation we never expected to be in. Right now, all three of us are out of work, and we are doing everything we can to get through this, but we won't be successful without help.

Any money raised will go directly toward my mom’s hospital bills, her IV antibiotics, and essential living expenses while we try to navigate the next few weeks. Even if you cannot donate, sharing this fundraiser, raising awareness, offering advice to reduce/defer treatment costs, saying a prayer, or sending words of encouragement would mean so much to us. My mom is loved deeply, and we just want to give her the best chance to heal and keep her from losing her toe or worse.

The gratitude we feel just for knowing you've read this, have donated, shared this fundraiser, or simply keep Maria in your thoughts is immeasurable. Every little bit helps more than you know.