We are seeking financial assistance to bring our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother Stella home. It meant a lot to Stella to attend the wedding of her beloved great-niece. She was winding down but resolved to make this her last big trip. Sadly, on the first full day in New Jersey, Stella broke her arm in a freak accident. Thus, on November 11, 2022, began an unfortunate spiraling of events. The right arm was badly fractured and required emergency surgical repair. After the surgery, she went to rehab where she developed blood clots and underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot from her brain which had caused her to suffer a stroke on November 26th. The stroke left Stella unable to swallow, eat, speak or move her left side. She now suffers left side flaccidity and a large bedsore. After another hospital discharge to rehab, she contracted COVID and returned to the hospital for 10 days without an opportunity to regain strength. Stella's insurance will soon be unable to cover her stay and medical needs in New Jersey, but bringing her home to San Francisco requires special transport as she is unable to move on her own, is still being fed through a feeding tube, and suffers a large sacral wound.

Stella has been a selfless, compassionate person all her life. She touched many lives and we know there are many who would love to help now if they knew what has happened. Stella was poor but would give her last dollar or slice of bread to anyone who needed it. She never complained and always went without so that someone else could eat. Her door was always open for children or people in need. Stella was a friend to many in the Mission district for over 30 years and an active parishioner in St. Peter’s Parish.

Our family humbly asks for prayers for Stella and if you would like to help with money towards an air ambulance to bring her back home to her city by the Bay, we are very grateful. Her closest family and friends reside there and once back in California, her medical care can continue without the loss of insurance coverage. Many wish to be by her bedside, but she is far from her closest friends and family. We believe coming home will help her recovery. Please help us in getting Stella back home to her loved ones.