My mother just turned 85 yesterday, but instead of celebrating, she spent her birthday in the ICU. Just two days before, she suffered a stroke and had to have a blood clot removed from her brain. On top of that, she is battling cancer, chronic kidney issues from diabetes, and has been undergoing weekly treatments for painful weeping ulcers on her legs. Her only income is Social Security, which barely covers her basic needs, let alone the expensive medications that Medicare doesn’t cover. She’s in a debt program because she can’t keep up with food, utilities, home maintenance, and medical costs.

I am a single mom to a 13-year-old boy. Although I am still legally married, I haven’t been able to find my husband for support. I lost my job after being diagnosed with severe anemia, which required an emergency blood transfusion. With no income, my health in decline, and my son to care for, our bills piled up. Then, a storm damaged my home, and without insurance or the means to repair it, I had to sell it at a huge loss. Now, the three of us live together, struggling to get by on my mom’s monthly check and my food stamp allotment. My mom even had to take out a mortgage on her previously paid-off home just to keep us afloat.

I’ve cashed in my 401k, spent my savings, and even pawned my wedding ring and jewelry. I don’t know what else to do. With new hospital and aftercare bills, transportation costs, and daily expenses, we are overwhelmed. We simply can’t make it another year without help. Any support you can give would mean everything to us and help us keep going.