Jess Jimenez has been a part of our team at Virtual since 2010. In all that time, we have never seen Jess without a smile on her face.

 

And Jess has had plenty of challenges in those years. Her oldest daughter, Alisha, now 17, was diagnosed with Glutaric Acidemia Type 1 (GA1) when she was nine months old. GA1 is a rare hereditary metabolic disorder that interferes with the body’s ability to process proteins. It has left Alisha in a wheelchair and suffering from other complications throughout her life.

 

And these complications haven’t just been medical. Last year, Alisha’s wheelchair was left unsecured on a school bus, causing Alisha to suffer a head injury

.

Through it all, Jess has smiled, maintained a positive outlook and cared for Alisha and her younger daughter, Lariza, now 14.

 

On May 25,  life dealt Jess and her family another cruel blow as her husband, Arnold Santiago, passed away unexpectedly and suddenly at 47.

 

Jess and her family need our help. We hope you’ll join us to support them today.