Hi, our names are Chandan and Mabelle (Husband and wife) and we are fundraising to support Mabelle's younger brother (my brother in law)- Marvin and his wife Nancy (in the picture above), to help with costs related to the funeral service, and travel to bring our family together from Philippines in this difficult times as we all grieve together in the sudden tragic loss of our niece Lia Ellena Bonifacio, which was their only child.

Lia was a young little girl with full of life, smart, funny, curious, intelligent, strong and who was just starting to embrace the beauty of life. She was just 2 years old and would have turned 3 this March 8th 2026. She came to our life and brightened every soul that she touched around her. We can't even imagine what our brother-in-law and his wife are going through right at this very moment. This pain is too hard to bear.

Lia liked, Miss Rachel, Snoopy, and was in a process of getting a doctor's kit so she could play doctor while trying to treat Snoopy the dog. She had plans to go for camping this summer. She was excited to go and try her first rides in the adventure park. I write this with heavy heart and even though if you didn't know Lia, I remain sure that she would win your heart with her cheerful smile.

My wife Mabelle is a healthcare worker and was there when this happened, below is her journal of that day.

Mabelle’s journal entry - (Jan 20, 2026)

Title - Twenty

The team leader announced a three-year-old down for twenty minutes.

I was in the trauma room saving another life. We got them back.

Then I heard “Pediatrics Code Blue” overhead.

I know my algorithm. If my team needs help, I help. This is my job. This is what I do.

The stretcher came in. The paramedic was giving report.

I caught a glimpse of you.

A beautiful baby girl.

“Why does the patient look familiar?”

My phone rang once. I didn’t answer.

It rang again. I saw Marvin’s name.

I answered on the second call as I walked toward the stretcher.

My heart was pounding. Denial. Denial. Denial.

When I finally saw your face, the words fell out of me:

“That’s my niece.”

My younger brother—your dad—was crying on the other line.

My manager took me into the office. I saw unshed tears in his eyes.

“You’re breaking my heart, Mabelle,” he said.

Mine was already shattered.

Yours had stopped.

In that moment, I wasn’t a trauma nurse trying to save a baby girl.

I was an aunt.

She is my goddaughter.

I was helpless.

How can I help?

What do I do?

She’s so small. She’s our youngest.

People say we look alike. I think she’s far more beautiful than I am.

Twenty minutes down. No pulse.

You know when you know.

Still, my other family tried to bring you back to us.

Your mom wailing.

Your dad screaming.

Then I saw you again—covered in tubes.

I wanted to rip them all out. You’re too precious for that.

I recognized every face in the room.

But why did it feel like we were completely alone?

My mind went back to what I know.

Start compressions.

Shock her heart.

Give her epi.

That’s what I learned.

That’s what I know.

But I am a trauma nurse.

I am an aunt.

And I am lost.

I kissed you.

I hugged you.

That’s all I could do.

I said your name.

She is Lia.

She is beautiful.

She is love.

——-

Thank you for taking time to read this. May no one has to go through what my brother in law and his wife are going through now.