On December 17, 2025—just eight days before Christmas—my brother, Nicholas Santiago, a dedicated New York City UPS driver, suffered a heart attack while on the job at 79th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. What began as a sudden medical emergency quickly became life-threatening, requiring emergency open-heart surgery to repair his aorta, followed shortly by a coronary artery bypass operation. In an instant, his family’s world was turned upside down.

Nicholas is a loving husband and a devoted father to three beautiful children: Darelys (17), a senior in high school; Angelo (12); and Annabella (11), both in junior high school. Anyone who knows Nicholas knows the kind of man he is—a hardworking UPS driver, a devoted family man, and a loyal friend. He always puts others first and does everything he can to support and care for his family and those around him. He truly has a heart of gold.

We are incredibly grateful that Nicholas is recovering, but he still has a long and challenging road ahead. His healing will require time, ongoing medical care, and rest, which means time away from work as he focuses on regaining his strength. With the love and support of his family, we believe he will come back stronger than ever.

This fundraiser was created to help support Nicholas and his family during this difficult time—with medical expenses, household bills, and everyday needs—as he continues his recovery. Any donation, no matter how small, is deeply appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page and keeping Nicholas and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and support

One month later Update on my brother’s recovery: 01/17/26

He is doing much better and has been moved out of the ICU and into recovery. He took his first steps the other day, which was a huge milestone for us. While he still has a long road ahead, we are grateful for the progress he’s making. He will be transferring to a rehabilitation center by January 30 to continue his recovery. Thank you all for the continued prayers, support, and love—it truly means everything to our family.