Hi everyone,

I’m writing this on behalf of my best friend, Karina—someone who has spent her life pouring love, care, and joy into others. Asking for help has never come easily to her, which is exactly why I’m doing this for her. There are so many beautiful words to describe my friend, Ri. A wife. Daughter. Sister. Friend. Cheerleader. Giver. Lover. Beautiful inside and out. But the word that best describes her currently, Fighter.

About two years ago, shortly after moving to Colorado with her husband Greg, Ri was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)—an incurable, chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). MS occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and body. In Ri’s case, MS affects the nerves in her neck and shoulder and has progressively impacted her hips and legs.

What began as difficulty walking has turned into slips, falls, and the heartbreaking reality of needing a walker—and often a wheelchair—to get through daily life. Simple movements many of us take for granted, like walking or climbing stairs, are nearly impossible without assistance. By the grace of God, Ri is not in physical pain, but the physical limitations are very real. As if MS weren’t enough, Ri recently suffered a massive epileptic seizure. Thankfully, Greg was home and able to get her help in time—but stress was a major factor, and the outcome could have been life-threatening. The fear of another seizure, another fall, or another emergency is something they now live with every day.

Ri is currently unemployed and has struggled to find remote work while managing her health. Greg has taken on multiple jobs to keep them afloat, all while carrying the constant worry of leaving Ri alone when anything could happen—because it already has. The financial toll has been immense. Medical bills, high copayments, prescription costs, and deductibles have added up quickly. What used to be Ri’s income—meal prepping and cooking, something she loved and did while living in South Florida—has been nearly impossible to return to since her diagnosis and move to Colorado.

And yet, Ri and Greg are what I call a power couple. Their strength isn’t just in their bond, but in who they are as individuals—people who have worked hard, built a life together from the ground up, and dreamed of continuing to grow and succeed side by side. Ri has always been a major contributor to her marriage, working tirelessly and selflessly for years.

If you know Ri, you know this truth: she is usually the one helping everyone else.

She’s a longtime home cook and local chef with deep roots in the food and music community. She has always served others first—purely from her heart and soul, with love. She is humble, loyal, honest, reliable, vivacious, funny, elegant, and endlessly creative.

This is hard for her. Asking for help may be the hardest thing she’s faced since her diagnosis.

So today, we’re asking—for her.

This fund is meant to help cover any and all costs—medical expenses, treatments and therapies needed to maintain movement and function, rent, food, gas, and to help supplement what would have been Ri’s income. MS is incurable. While it is currently manageable, it is progressive and will worsen over time.

Reducing financial stress is critical to her health and safety.

Our goal is to help Ri and Greg make it through this year as stress-free as possible, so Ri can focus on what truly matters: her health, her healing, and continuing to fight with the incredible strength she’s already shown.

If you’ve ever eaten Ri’s food, enjoyed her work, shared a laugh with her, or benefited from her generosity—this is your moment to give back. This fund will remain open year-round. Any amount helps.

Whether it’s $10 toward a hot chocolate during a Colorado winter or $100 to cover part of a monthly bill, every contribution is received with immense gratitude and LOVE.

Please note: do not send money directly to Ri without checking in with her first. This GoFundMe is linked to their banking institution and helps keep proper records.

Ri is so strong—but no one should have to carry this alone.

Let’s help the one who has always helped us. ❤️