Our dad, Jose Medina, aka Paga, has always been a family man first; willing to do anything for us. He loves working with his hands, making inventions or fixing things. He wouldn't hurt a fly, his favorite movie of all time is a toss up between Ghost and Top Gun, has an obsession with American muscle cars, watched 5 beautiful grandchildren come into the world (ages 3-15) that he loves with all his heart, and you'll know he likes you if he teases you.

 

At the beginning of the year, he was diagnosed with Liver Cirrhosis shortly before a trip to the hospital due to a heavy amount of fluid retention throughout his abdomen caused by the disease. This came as a shock to us because the most known cause of the disease is heavy alcohol intake, and Paga only has a couple of rum and cokes a year for Noche Buena (Christmas Eve). After a long series of ER trips, doctor/hospital visits and testing (that still isn't over), we were told that he will need a new liver. We have just learned that before he can even be placed on the transplant list, we must come up with at least $8,000.

His diagnosis was followed by months of him being unable to work, weekly paracentesis procedures, bi-weekly follow-ups with different specialists, social worker consultations, and barely being able to return to work to make ends meet. This $8000 is for the transplant itself and does not include all other visits, testing and procedures required for maintaining his health and the transplant process. There's still a long road ahead.

He's worked hard his whole life and instilled that in us as kids. Asking for money or any financial assistance is always an absolute last resort for him, as it is for us having learned from him and our mom. It has, unfortunately, come to a point where we are running out of options.

We ask you to please help with whatever you can; anything and everything is appreciated more than we can express. Anyone who knows Paga has been shown his generosity and kindness and we just hope that even a little bit of that comes back his way.

Please help us show him how much we love and support him!