My name is Valentin, and for the past year and a half I’ve been living with an unknown heart condition. Many of you who have seen or worked with me during that time knew something was wrong, though none of us could quite put a name to it. Despite visits with onboard doctors, countless tests, and even a brief hospital stay, the cause remained a mystery—until my most recent angiogram finally revealed the truth.

It turned out I had blockages in my arteries. The cardiac surgeon urged immediate surgery, and I agreed. It was sudden, unplanned, and overwhelming, but with my family’s history of heart disease, I knew the risk was real. I’ve worked hard to live a healthy life, but sometimes heredity has its own plans. Thankfully, the problem was caught in time. Now, with a new lease on life, I’m more determined than ever to make each day count. Those who know me know that’s always been my way—but now that drive has only deepened.

I’m reaching out once more for a little help. Some of you have already supported me when I asked before, and I’m deeply grateful. This time, I’m aiming to raise $5,000—just enough to cover one month of rent and the medical bills piling up from follow-up visits and cardiac rehab. Thankfully, my insurance has covered a lot, but the out-of-pocket costs are still adding up. I’ve applied for medical leave through the state of Washington, but from what I’ve read, it won’t cover much.

Any support you can give—whether financial or simply through encouragement—means the world to me. Thank you for standing by me through this journey.