Our mom, Toni, has spent her life showing up for other people. Now she urgently needs our help. She’s facing a complex, life-threatening medical situation that requires specialized care, with surgical intervention likely, at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota this winter. This means cross-country travel, potentially weeks of lodging, lost income for her spouse, and major out-of-pocket medical costs. Every donation goes toward getting her the care that could save her life ❤️‍

Toni’s Story

Toni has always been an incredible advocate for people in need. She built her life around helping others, choosing a career in social work so she could support the most vulnerable - because she’s always known how vital it is to have someone fight for you when you can’t fight for yourself.

She’s faced an impossible number of obstacles throughout her life, and still manages to bring light, humor, and strength to others, even while carrying unimaginable pain herself.

The Medical Reality

Toni has a complex and debilitating gastrointestinal condition layered on top of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Her health has deteriorated to the point where she’s only able to stand minimally or walk short distances, and lives with persistent pain and repeated medical crises. She needs coordinated care that simply doesn’t exist where she lives in New Mexico.

Her case has been accepted by Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and she’s scheduled for a weeklong diagnostic and surgical planning visit at the end of November. Based on conversations with her medical team, surgery will likely follow shortly after. This is her best - and likely only - chance at meaningful recovery and survival.

The Financial Reality

This kind of specialized care involves far more than just medical bills. Toni and her spouse will need to travel across the country, stay in Minnesota for several weeks, and cover a range of expenses that aren’t covered by insurance. Her spouse will have to take unpaid leave from work as an art therapist to be by her side as caregiver and advocate.

Mom has been on disability for many years, and her spouse is the only person able to work in their home - the loss of that income during this time is substantial, and they cannot afford to go to Mayo without the community coming together to cover their expenses, and the income lost while they’re there.

Here’s how the funds will be used:

Estimated goal: $28,000–$30,000

Why we’re asking for help:

Toni is the kind of person who notices when others are struggling and does everything she can to lift them up. She’s spent a lifetime helping other people, and now she’s the one who needs help to keep going.

This surgery isn’t optional. It’s what stands between continued decline (with a probable bowel rupture) and the chance to live fully again.

Every single dollar raised will go directly toward travel, lodging, lost caregiver income, and medical costs associated with Toni’s treatment at Mayo Clinic.

Even small amounts help:

And if you can’t donate, sharing the campaign is also an amazing way to support her!

If you’ve ever been touched by Toni’s kindness, humor, fierce love, or advocacy, you know how rare and extraordinary she is. She’s carried so many people through their hardest moments. Now it’s our turn to help carry her. ❤️

Thank you for your support, and for helping us take care of mom!