We are raising urgent funds for my dear friend James Mathews, a proud Marine Corps veteran, who suffered a hemorrhagic stroke while on vacation in Costa Rica.

What was meant to be a restful trip after a day of surfing turned into a living nightmare. On Monday, September 7th, James suffered a sudden medical emergency and has been in a medically induced coma ever since. He was initially rushed to a local public hospital, but his condition required critical, specialized care, forcing an urgent transfer to a private hospital. Because his American medical insurance does not cover private international facilities, his family is paying 100% of these massive daily hospital bills entirely out of pocket just to keep him alive and receiving care until he is stable enough to travel.

On top of the rising private medical bills, the family is facing a heartbreaking struggle to bring James back home to the United States. His condition requires a specialized, highly expensive international air ambulance, and they are currently stuck in Costa Rica navigating complex logistics and costs while waiting for his condition to stabilize.

This tragedy hit during an already difficult time, as James and his family were in the middle of relocating to Florida—a major transition that had already put them under severe financial strain. Now, his wife, Gabriela, and his mother are incurring endless hotel and living expenses just to stay by his bedside in a foreign country.

How Your Support Helps

All funds raised will go directly toward:

• Private hospital bills: Covering daily out-of-pocket medical costs required to keep James stable in Costa Rica.
• Emergency repatriation: Funding the specialized medical transport needed to bring James safely back home to the U.S. once he is cleared to travel.
• Family support: Covering lodging, food, and essential living expenses for Gabriela and his mother while stuck abroad.
• Ongoing rehabilitation: Supporting his long-term recovery and medical care once back on American soil.

James dedicated years of his life in service to our country as a Marine. Now, he and his family desperately need our community to rally around them to bring him home.

If you are able to give, any amount—no matter how small—will bring enormous relief during this agonizing time. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this campaign with your network. Thank you for your kindness, prayers, and generosity.