Chris is facing one of the most painful and destabilizing periods of his life physically, emotionally, and financially. In early June, he was laid off from his job as a therapist, a role that gave him a deep sense of meaning and purpose. Not long after, his health took a frightening turn. After experiencing sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, Chris was rushed to the ER, where he was diagnosed with acute pericarditis, a serious condition involving inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds the heart.

Acute pericarditis is not just uncomfortable: it is intensely painful. The pain often mimics a heart attack: sharp, stabbing sensations in the chest that worsen with movement or breathing. For Chris, this has meant not only relentless physical pain, but also frequent hospital visits (eight ER trips so far), each time filled with fear, uncertainty, and mounting costs. The condition has severely limited his ability to function day to day. He has been told to rest and avoid physical or emotional stress, yet his life has been filled with both.

Amid his health crisis, Chris also endured the heartbreak of an unexpected end to his engagement, losing the person he imagined his future with while facing the scariest health battle of his life. The emotional weight of that grief, combined with the isolation of being unable to work or do the things that bring him joy, has left him feeling incredibly vulnerable. As someone who has spent years helping others as a therapist, it’s painful for him now to be on the other side by needing help just to make it through each day.

Chris is doing everything he can to focus on healing, and manage financial stress. With no income and no timeline for when he’ll be medically cleared to return to work, he is focused on rent, bills, and essential COBRA medical insurance that costs $820/month. These are not luxuries. They are lifelines. He is trying to hold on to stability and dignity in a time of profound upheaval.

Asking for help is never easy, especially for someone who’s always been the one supporting others. But right now, Chris needs a community to help carry him through. If you’re able to donate, share, or even send a message of support, it would mean more than words can express. Every bit helps lift the burden and brings him one step closer to healing; not just physically, but emotionally as well.