Some people work their whole lives, get good insurance, change their lifestyle and still end up in situations that can emotionally and financially make their survival a struggle. This is Pam. One of my closest friends, no matter how far away she was ( I helped move her to California and when her own mother got sick, and her father passed she moved back here to CT) The smile on her face in this picture only half shows the smile she shares, even as her health is at risk. Recently she visited her Dr, with a bad case of heartburn and hopes to have a quick answer. Unfortunately, her case is more severe than heartburn. She has a tumor on her aortic valve and is going in for surgery in just 2 weeks. On top of having to prepare herself for heart surgery, prepare her mother for the possible outcomes, and preparing the house for a successful recovery (because that's our only option here... a SUCCESSFUL recovery), she also has to take time away from work (at minimum: 6-8 weeks) and her "rainy day fund" has been washed away from all the appointments leading up to the surgery. To give an example, just today's doctors appointments cost, out of pocket, $1500. Thankfully insurance covers something, but if just today cost that much then imagine the last few months of appointments and the next few months, on top of surgery. From the day I met her, Pam has been a solid friend and huge support system to anyone that needed her. She will gladly tell you her honest opinion and have reasons for why she believes what she does. She also, will stand by her friends and family to support their beliefs and opinions, and will do what she can to help anyone she can. She worked with elderly, and loved her residents (even though each day she reintroduced herself to those that couldn't remember her) and tonight she shared that she would love to run a facility again, a small one, that she could own and take care of her residents like she did in California. It takes special people to be good at a job that focuses on people with deteriorating minds and bodies. She is that special person. She is the person you want to help, because she doesn't give up on her people. But now, she has to take care of herself. It's so important that she can financially survive through this time. She deserves to not be in debt for saving herself for once. I set the goal at $5000 in hopes of helping her get through this time, but any dollar will help. Any share will help. I want her to see that she deserves the help, the same as she would give to others. I want her to know that her generosity and kindness has been appreciated and repaid in some way.

Thank you