My Hannie, the best mother, wife and person I've ever met, is fighting for her life currently.

On Saturday, the little life we carved together was forever changed as leg pain and fever developed beyond what we could ever expect. Hannie is fighting against necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and devasting "flesh-eating bacteria" which has already caused her to have two surgeries, loss of an immense amount of skin and will keep her in the ICU for the coming weeks or even months.

The first time we ever spoke over the phone, Hannie called me spontaneously at 1 a.m. after brief interactions online. I'll always remember how easy it was to talk with her, the sheer joy in her voice and as many know, that unmistakable laugh I instantly fell in love with.

I will give anything to hear that laugh once more.

I have disregarded every ounce of silly pride in my stubborn body and I'm asking for help. We as a family are facing the very real possibility of financial ruin, which includes losing the home we desperately dreamed of since we were broke kids sharing hopes of the future over Gunther's Ice Cream.

With unknown medical costs in our future, children to clothe and feed, mortgage, vehicle and your everyday bills coming due, this money I'm asking for is meant to just keep my family afloat.

The future will be complicated and forever changed after this event. But I'm desperately fighting to keep the garden she loves green, the children she loves smiling and the home we built in our name.

Thank you,

Joshua Gutierrez