On January 25th, our lives changed overnight when our dad, Joel, was found unresponsive at home by our mom.

He was rushed to the hospital after a sudden, unexplained systemic crash that led to respiratory failure, severe infection, and multiple organ complications. What started as a terrifying night has turned into a long and difficult fight. He has spent extended time in the ICU and is still hospitalized as his body slowly recovers from the effects of oxygen deprivation, liver injury, kidney failure, and serious complications involving his knee replacement. He remains at UCLA where he is improving, though slowly, and is definitely not out of the woods.

We are incredibly grateful that he is alive. There were moments when we didn’t know if he would wake up again. Today, he is making progress — he can talk, recognize us, and is beginning the long road back — but his recovery will take months, not weeks. He still faces additional procedures, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care even after he is discharged.

While we focus on helping him heal, we are now facing a growing financial crisis.

His employer has not been supportive during this time, and his income is docked and may eventually stop. At the same time, the medical bills continue to grow. He pays for his health insurance out of pocket, and keeping that coverage active is absolutely critical for the care he still needs. Without income, we are deeply worried about how he will cover his mortgage, utilities, insurance premiums, and basic living expenses. The last thing we want is for him to come home from the hospital only to face losing his house or the insurance that is keeping him alive right now.

Anyone who knows our dad knows how hard he has worked his entire life. He has always been the one helping others, never asking for help himself. Now, we are humbly asking on his behalf.

Your support will go toward:

• Ongoing medical expenses not covered by insurance

• Monthly health insurance premiums

• Mortgage and essential household bills

• Transportation and recovery-related needs after discharge

Every donation, share, and message of support truly makes a difference. If you’re not able to give, sharing this page helps more than you know.

Thank you for standing with our family during an incredibly hard chapter in our dad's ongoing health battle - the biggest one we’ve ever faced. We are holding onto hope, taking this one day at a time, and believing that with support, our dad can focus on healing without the crushing weight of financial fear.

With deep gratitude,

Andrew, Alicia, & Joshua