Hello, my name is Luana.

Over the past few years, my life has been filled with unimaginable loss.

Four years ago, I lost my mother to congestive heart failure. Then last October, I received a call that changed everything—my baby brother, Michael, had been hospitalized in California, intubated, and placed on life support. I rushed to be there, but just days after I arrived, he passed away on October 15th.

My siblings and I leaned on each other through that heartbreak—crying, sharing memories, and holding onto the love we had for him. But only 30 days later, tragedy struck again. My brother Lefty, overwhelmed with grief, took his own life.

His ashes are still in California… waiting for me.

Losing both brothers so close together has shattered me. It changed who I am, how I see life, and where I feel I belong. Being so far away from my family makes the grief even heavier.

Now my oldest sister is facing a serious aortic aneurysm, and every day feels uncertain and heavy with worry. Recently, my father reached out asking me to come home—he doesn’t know how much time he has left, and neither do I especially after just have Aorta surgery done .

At the same time, I’ve been struggling with my own health. I battle Lyme disease every day, and I am also a cancer survivor. After having my thyroid removed, I now rely on lifelong medication, but I still deal with constant fatigue, brain fog, and exhaustion that makes it impossible to hold a steady job.

I feel stuck—physically, emotionally, and financially.

Funds raised will help with:

• A reliable vehicle

• travel expenses such as gas, hotel

• Unexpected car repairs

•Housing

Right now, I am in Maryland, trying to get back to California to be with my family, and be there for my siblings and father while I still can.

But I can’t do it alone.

I need a reliable vehicle large enough for my belongings, along with help for gas and hotel stays for what will be about a six-day drive. When I arrive, I won’t have stable housing, so I’m trying to prepare as best as I can.

And through all of this… there is Luna.

I rescued Luna as a stray in California—she was nothing but bones, covered in infections, and clearly suffering. I couldn’t leave her like that. I brought her back with me so I could get her healthy and give her the life she deserved.

Today, she is healthy, loved, and by my side. I wish everyone could see how far she’s come.

She is more than my dog—she is my emotional support, my comfort, my best friend and the reason I keep going through everything. I need to make sure she stays safe and with me every step of the way.

I am humbly asking for help during one of the hardest times in my life.

Any contribution—no matter how small—truly means everything to me.

If you can’t donate, please consider sharing my story.

Your kindness could help me get back to my family when I need them most.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am truly grateful.

—Luana