Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

This past holiday season, our lives were irrevocably changed. My beloved wife, Ashley, was diagnosed with Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) with liver failure—a condition so rare that only about 500 people in the world are affected by it. For 40 years, Ashley had unknowingly battled this painful disorder, which causes severe allergic reactions to sunlight, forcing her to live much of her life in the shadows.

What started as what we thought was a simple gallbladder issue on Thanksgiving rapidly escalated into a life-threatening crisis. Ashley’s health deteriorated quickly, and she was admitted to three different hospitals over a span of 65 days. It was a harrowing time, filled with uncertainty and fear, as we didn’t know if she would survive. The situation became critical, and she urgently needed a liver transplant to save her life. Which she received on June 20th.

During this incredibly stressful period, we were also in the process of buying our first home. The weight of caring for our 8-year-old daughter, Evelyn, packing up our apartment, and moving into our new house was almost unbearable. Yet, with the unwavering support of friends and family, I managed to hold things together, ensuring Evelyn felt safe and loved during this chaotic time.

Ashley’s greatest joy has always been being a “dance mom,” taking Evelyn to her dance classes and supporting her passion. It breaks Ashley’s heart that she has to miss Evelyn’s recital on June 29th while still recovering in the hospital. She has also missed significant time from work, which has put a severe financial strain on us.

To add to our challenges, I will need to take time away from work to care for Ashley as she recovers, but my short/long disability insurance may not be eligible for caretaker responsibilities. The financial burden of medical bills, doctor visits, medications, parking fees in Boston and the cost of living/home ownership is overwhelming.

Ashley has dreams of living a life where she can enjoy the sun like everyone else. She longs to take our family to Disney World, a trip she has dreamed of for years, and to travel with me to the places on our bucket list. Most importantly, she wants to honor her donor by living life to the fullest and creating beautiful memories with our family.

We are humbly asking for your support to help cover Ashley’s medical expenses and ensure she can focus on her recovery without the added stress of financial worries. Your generosity will bring us one step closer to Ashley’s dream of a normal life, filled with sunshine, laughter, and cherished moments with our loved ones.

Please consider donating to our GoFundMe campaign and sharing our story with others. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a significant difference.

With deepest gratitude, The Silva Family