It’s such a hard time to ask for help, but Rob needs his friends and community right now to safely get back to the United States and into treatment.

As some of you know, Rob Pontes traveled to Mexico to undergo in-depth stem cell treatment for ALS. While he was there, complications arose, including seizures that led to hospitalization and a medically induced coma. Rob had surgery on 4/14 to repair a brain bleed and we’re happy to report he made it through and is now recovering. With your help, we can secure air ambulance transportation to bring him safely from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to San Diego, California for further treatment. 

You may ask, why San Diego? Rob’s condition puts him at serious risk if he were to contract COVID-19. San Diego is a bright spot in the pandemic with much fewer cases than where he’s currently residing in Massachusetts. The bright side of having Rob stationed in San Diego is that he has friends and family throughout Southern California. Additionally, the air ambulance transportation is far more affordable to get him to San Diego as opposed to going all the way back east. 

Despite his complications, Rob’s prognosis is positive and we are feeling very hopeful. The financial barrier in getting him across the border and into an advanced hospital that provides the care he needs is overwhelming.

We know that health and financial security are on all of our minds right now, and we feel so grateful to be surrounded by an amazing community of full-hearted people. Please consider giving whatever you can and know it’s your positive thoughts and messages that keep Rob’s hope alive. We love you guys.

The Pontes Family