Hi, my name is Aaliyah, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my brother, Matthew Martinez.

Since he was just 18 months old, Matthew has lived with Type 1 diabetes. Despite the challenges, he’s always remained strong and resilient. A little over two years ago, he was diagnosed with kidney failure, which meant enduring dialysis treatments for the past two and a half years.

Recently, Matthew received the incredible gift of life through a double transplant—both a kidney and a pancreas. For the first time in years, there was hope. His new organs are working beautifully, and we were finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

But just weeks after the surgery, Matthew faced a terrifying setback.

Last week, he became completely unresponsive for two days, with a persistent high fever ranging between 102–103°F. After several tests, doctors believe that one of the medications (anti-rejection pill) meant to protect his new kidney was actually affecting his brain—causing him to lose the ability to speak or move.

Thankfully, Matthew is slowly beginning to regain consciousness, little by little each day. He is no where near to his normal self, he’s still in critical condition, and our family has not left his side. We’re in this fight with him every step of the way.

We’re humbly asking for your support during this incredibly difficult time. Any contribution would mean the world to us and help relieve some of the financial stress we’re facing. If you’re unable to give financially, your prayers, kind thoughts, and shares of this message are just as valuable.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support.

-The Martinez Family