On November 13, 2025, our lives changed in an instant. My son Michael came home from school just like any other day, but that evening, he suddenly began bleeding from his mouth, nose, and private areas. Bruises started forming all over his body right before my eyes. We rushed to our local hospital, where doctors discovered that his platelet level was at zero and his blood level was at two. Michael was immediately transferred to a Children’s Hospital out of state, and after many long hours and countless tests, he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia on November 20, 2025. Since then, Michael’s world has been filled with hospital stays, daily blood and platelet transfusions, and now chemotherapy. He hasn’t been able to go to school or see his siblings during long hospital stays, which makes him feel lonely and sad. The hospital only allows certain things to be watched on their TV, and Michael loves scary movies, which he can’t watch there. He tries to keep his spirits up by building Legos and playing with his favorite Marvel superhero action figures, but there are times when I see him sitting quietly, tears in his eyes, telling me he just feels alone and doesn’t understand why his body has failed him. He wishes for simple comforts, because there are only so many times you can watch the same movie. After his procedure, Michael will have to stay in the hospital for three more weeks to make sure his body doesn’t reject the stem cells from his sister, who is his donor. His birthday is March 1, and he’ll be spending it in the hospital with just me, since his siblings aren’t allowed to visit. When he is able to go home, he will still have the central line placed in him. Michael says, “I can’t wait till I get better so I can touch the grass again and play my favorite sport, soccer.” As a mother of five and the sole provider for my family, I’ve had to take time off work to care for Michael. This has made it incredibly hard to keep up with bills and provide for my children. Donations to this fundraiser will help us keep our home afloat by covering utility bills, making sure Michael has the food he craves after long hospital stays, and bringing him small comforts to lift his spirits during treatment and his birthday in the hospital. Your support—whether through a donation or by sharing our story—means the world to us. Thank you for helping us through this difficult time and giving Michael the chance to heal and recover.