My name is Michele, and I am starting this fundraiser for my fiancé, Michael, and for our household as we try to get through an overwhelming medical crisis. Michael is going through dialysis three or more days a week, and he recently had surgery on his arm for a fistula so he can begin home dialysis in the near future. Before he has even had a chance to heal from that, we were told he now needs a hip replacement as well. He has also been in and out of the hospital, and most recently he went into septic shock after an infection in the port in his chest. It feels like one serious issue after another, and I honestly do not know what he is going to have time to heal from first. I am on disability myself, and with only one vehicle, getting him to all of these appointments has become physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting.

The costs are piling up faster than we can manage. We are struggling with medical bills, transportation, gas, and car repairs after putting so many miles on our vehicle. Our car also needs an inspection, tires, and repairs from being sideswiped a few months ago. I also need to take a course in Robinson Township, Pittsburgh, which is about an hour and five minutes away from us, so I can learn to administer Michael’s home dialysis. I will need to travel there three days a week while also helping Michael get to dialysis and other appointments. The $2,000 is not just for the class itself. It is for the things we need at home for Michael’s care, along with the travel expenses for me to get back and forth to the course. We will also need special equipment in the house as he recovers from his hip replacement and continues treatment, and a home health nurse will be coming weekly. I am doing everything I can to make sure Michael gets the care he needs, but we have reached a point where we cannot do this alone.

If you are able to help, please know that any donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference for us. Your support will help us keep up with the medical and travel expenses, prepare our home for Michael’s care, and make sure he can get safely to the appointments and treatments he needs. Even if you cannot give, sharing this fundraiser would mean so much. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for keeping Michael in your thoughts as we face this very difficult season together.