My name is Tiana, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my father, Steve, who just lost the love of his life, my mother, Tita.

My parents’ story began more than five decades ago on the east side of San Jose. They met as children, living across the street from each other, became sweethearts at 15, and have been inseparable ever since. My father is now 65. For as long as I can remember, their love has been the center of our family.

Four years ago, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. She bravely fought through treatments and went into remission, giving us hope. But recently, everything changed. The cancer has spread aggressively to her liver, both kidneys, both lungs, her bones, and even to her neck. Just two weeks ago, she seemed okay. Then, suddenly, she woke up in unbearable pain. We made the heartbreaking decision to end all life saving measures and keep her comfortable as she spends her final days surrounded by family, as that was her wish.

This decline was devastatingly fast. My father, my sister, and I were not emotionally prepared. My mom has always been selfless: she took in family members, built lifelong friendships, and even injured her back at work trying to save a co-worker from falling which resulted in two major back surgeries in her late 40’s. Before her cancer, she also suffered two strokes in her 50s. Through every hardship, she never stopped caring for others.

My dad has been equally selfless. He retired early to become her full-time caregiver, living on their combined Social Security checks. With my mother’s passing imminent, my father will suddenly lose her income and be left facing mounting medical bills while he applies for survivor benefits, a process that takes time.

This fundraiser is not for funeral expenses. It is to help my father in this critical transition: to cover immediate medical bills and give him the gift of not worrying about finances while grieving the loss of his soulmate. He has given so much to his daughters, his five grandchildren, and countless family members. Now I’m humbly asking for help for him.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will help ease his burden during the most painful chapter of his life. If you’re unable to give, sharing this page means just as much.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, prayers, and support.

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Tiana