Amy Milla provided extraordinary care for her elderly patients, many of whom had dementia. She walked beside them on that long good-bye. Because of a tragic illness, Amy now needs the care and comfort that she so generously gave to others.

Amy and her husband Chris suffered the loss of a business during the Great Recession and relocated with their daughter from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay Area several years ago to start anew. Amy became a caregiver to elderly clients. She found that she enjoyed the work and that she cared deeply for those she helped. Her latest client was Joe Linchey, a WWII veteran and purple heart recipient with dementia, who came to rely greatly on Amy. We, Joe’s family, witnessed Amy’s unique blend of kindness, loving care, strength, and generosity of spirit, day in and day out. We came to understand that Amy has that rare gift of extraordinary empathy.

Tragically, two weeks ago Amy suddenly lost the ability to speak, became nauseous, and fainted. She was rushed to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurism, which had burst. Emergency surgery was performed on Amy that night. She survived, but she will be in intensive care for another four weeks; thereafter she will face a difficult year-long road of rehabilitation, with an uncertain outcome. Currently, Amy cannot speak, she has near total paralysis throughout the right side of her body, and she cannot understand simple words, the trauma having affected the language center of her brain.

For Amy, her husband Chris and their daughter Karen, the emotional toll is unimaginable. The financial toll is devastating. Please consider a donation in any amount. It will show Amy and her family that they are not alone. That they can get through this with the support of their loved ones and a community that cares, as Amy cared for so many: selflessly, unreservedly and with a generous spirit.

We thank you on their behalf for your consideration and generosity. Please keep Amy and her family in your prayers.