Early last month, we had to say goodbye to our cat Tifa, who was with us for 18 years. A week later, my cousin took his own life. At the same time, my partner caught a severe case of strep. I also caught strep once I returned from funeral services for my cousin. We eventually had to go to urgent care for treatment. I've had to travel back and forth from Pittsburgh to Rochester to help my aunt and uncle go through my cousin's things and clean out his place; he was a hoarder, and much of his stuff was weird nerdy niche stuff, and I'm the only other person in the family who even knows what any of it is. They've given me my cousin's car as thanks, but that's still come with some added costs.

With the sudden and continuous need to pay for vet bills, travel expenses, medical bills for us both, car fees (title, registration, etc.), maintenance needed on the other car, plus the amount of work that's been missed, we've dipping in and out of a negative account balance ever since. We're struggling bad. I'd rather chew off my own arm than ask for money, and I've already had to ask family, but they could only offer so much. I can't put this off any longer. We need the help.

The amount I've set would get us back to stability, but I don't expect to reach that goal. Every single penny that we can get will be helpful. I have some of my cousin's things to sell, but that will take time, and there's no guarantee anyone will buy it, so I can't rely on that right now.

We are immensely grateful for anything you can give us!!