Jose Luis Rueda Mantilla is the heart and soul behind a local tree care business in Northern Virginia (Ruman Tree Services). On Sunday, December 14, his life changed in an instant when he suffered a severe and debilitating stroke. He was rushed to the emergency room and spent two weeks in the ICU—in fact, he turned 40 while in the ICU. He is still in the hospital, facing a long road to recovery (he was transferred finally yesterday to a stroke recovery center). As a self-employed business owner, Jose does not have health insurance, and the costs of his care are mounting quickly, including post-care, bills for daily living, etc. He will need extensive rehabilitation and cannot work for the foreseeable future.

Jose’s daughter, Mayeli, only recently turned 18 and is a full-time student and lives with her father. Every day, she sleeps at the hospital, only leaving to shower and eat dinner. Her dedication to her father is unwavering, but the financial strain is overwhelming. Without help, they are at risk of being unable to pay their bills and losing the stability they have worked so hard to build.

Your support can make a world of difference for Jose and Mayeli. Every donation will go directly toward rehabilitation, medical and living expenses, allowing Mayeli to stay by her father’s side and focus on his recovery. Please consider helping this family in their time of need. Anything you can give is deeply appreciated, and please share this fundraiser with others.