Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

As many of you know, I’m currently in South Africa on what was meant to be a special vacation with my family. What most of you don’t know is that, just two days into the trip, my mother suffered a sudden medical emergency. She became unresponsive, her lips turned blue, and her breathing was shallow. We rushed her to the emergency room in Johannesburg, where she was admitted to the ICU.

She has now been in intensive care for the past five days. It’s been an incredibly difficult and emotional time for us, navigating this crisis far from home.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a proud person who finds it hard to ask for help — but right now, I’m facing something much bigger than myself. Unfortunately, her medical bills are not being covered by her insurance, and I’ve already accumulated over $20,000 in out-of-pocket costs, with no clear end in sight.

If you are in a position to help, no matter the amount, my family and I would be deeply grateful for your support. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to getting through this. If you’re unable to give financially, I kindly ask that you share this message and keep my mother in your thoughts and prayers. That alone means more than you know.

Thank you all for your love, kindness, and support. I will continue to keep you updated as things progress.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Steven