Hello friends,

Antonio has asked me if I could help him create this go-fund-me page so he can get the surgery and care he urgently needs. My family and some friends from America and Canada have helped Antonio pay for his medications and support his family for the past few months. While we endeavour to continue to help as much as possible, we need to reach out to the community for help. To that end, we ask for your help donating to this go-fund-me page so that Antonio can receive the life-saving surgery and care he desperately needs.

Below is a note from Antonio translated from his native language, Spanish:

Hello, my name is Antonio Vilorio, and the Dominican Republic has been my home, work, and family for my entire life. I have a dedicated and beautiful wife named Tago and two beautiful daughters, Yulisa, aged 18 and Ruby, aged 16.

I came from humble beginnings and was fortunate to work as a gardener in a condominium complex in Sosua, 12km from my home. My salary as a gardener was Three Hundred and Ninety-Three USD (393.00) a month before I was diagnosed with a severe heart condition and could no longer work. Also, my wife Togo tried to find work but was unable due to lack of work.

I was diagnosed with a severe heart condition. I collapsed at home, and my family took me to the hospital. The doctors told me I could not work anymore, I could not have exhaustion, and I should not worry. Also, the doctors said I would require surgery and medications to survive, which was devastating to my family and me because the cost was out of our humble reach.

I have met some extraordinary people from Canada and the United States through my work. These people have helped and supported me with my necessary medications. These medications cost over USD 200 monthly. These kind human beings are doing everything they can to help me keep up with paying for these medications since I would not survive without them.

At the end of the day, I need surgery. I am now reaching out to all of you to ask for any support you can give me to get my surgery, so I can see my children grow up and enable me to work so I can support my family. The surgery will cost USD 50,000, and I hope you will help me in any way you can to help me get it.

I am the breadwinner, and my family relies on me for necessities. Without this surgery, I cannot return to work and provide for my family. And without financial support, I cannot afford the surgery. I desire your generosity to get the help I need and provide for my family again.

This surgery is a matter of life or death for my family and me. Without it, they will be left without a provider. I am desperate for help and humbly ask for any support you can provide to help me get this surgery and get back on my feet.

My family often rushes me to the hospital because of my condition. It scares them as well as me. It is okay for me to meet my maker, but what worries me is what will happen to my wife and my girls if something should happen to me. I cannot help but worry about the uncertain future that my family would face if I were to go, and that fear alone is enough to keep me fighting for my life.

I pray that God will bless your hands and heart so you can see your way to help me overcome this challenge and have my surgery so I can return to work. Work is what I love, earning is what I love, and supporting my family is what I love. That's why I'm asking for your help - to support the people I love and continue to do what I love.

As Mother Teresa once said: "Prayer is not asking." Prayer is putting oneself in God's hands, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts."

Thank you for your generosity - Antonio