Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

I never thought I would find myself writing these words or asking for help in this way. My heart is shattered, and I am overwhelmed by the unimaginable challenges life has placed before me.

In a matter of days, I lost both of my parents unexpectedly. The grief of losing them so suddenly has left a hole in my heart that words cannot describe. As I was still trying to grasp this devastating reality, I also lost my job. Now, I find myself not only grieving but also struggling to hold my family together while facing enormous financial burdens.

I am a mother of two young children who depend on me. Without a job, I am fighting every day to make sure they are safe, cared for, and provided for — but the weight of bills, mortgage, daily expenses, and basic needs is becoming too much to carry on my own.

As if this wasn't already overwhelming, my youngest sister, who has special needs, is now alone in our home country. With both of our parents gone, she has no one else to care for her. I need to travel overseas to bring her to safety and ensure she receives the love, care, and support she needs during this fragile time — but this too brings additional costs that I cannot manage right now.

Also need help with left over funeral expenses.

It breaks my heart to ask for help, but I have no other choice. Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to me, my children, and my sister as we try to find our way through this storm.

Thank you from the deepest part of my heart for reading, for caring, and for being here in this painful chapter of my life.

With endless gratitude,

Irina