Update: Maritza's Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) is now scheduled for Monday. The most recent estimate is 26,6800 CAD (so less than we had originally anticipated). 40% of this cost was due up front, so those of you who have donated have already helped to make this possible. We are still hoping to continue fundraising for the remainder of the cost up until the time of the procedure. Thank you to everyone who has helped and also to everyone who is sending good wishes!

Hi everyone:). You may know me as Jacqueline or you may know me as the Dog Librarian-I answer to both:) I am fundraising for a dear family member named Maritza who is currently fighting for her life in a hospital in Mexico. Please read on for details and thank you in advance for taking the time to read Maritza's story.

On Saturday March 30th, our beloved Maritza suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at her home in a small town in Sinaloa, Mexico. She was transported to a hospital in a larger city where she remains in an induced coma today.

Despite having public healthcare in Mexico, the cost of materials, ambulances, medications, nursing, diagnostic testing etc. must be covered out-of-pocket by the patient. Maritza is scheduled to undergo a procedure called an Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) on Saturday, March 6. The estimate for her care, including the aformentioned procedure, is 25,000-35,000 CAD. This amount of money presents an enormous financial hardship for Maritza and her family and so I am beginning my efforts to fundraise here in Canada on her behalf.

At the age of 66, Maritza is a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother (Her son Carlos lived with us for three years here in Hastings Sunrise when he first arrived here as a refugee-some of you may have had the pleasure of meeting him). Maritza has been an auntie figure in my life for the past 32 years and I have so many beautiful memories of long sunset walks with her through the dusty winding streets of her small fishing village.

Maritza is truly one of the kindest, gentlest, most loving souls I've known in my time on this earth. If you are able and called to donate to help with her surgery, please consider doing so. If you are moved to help but cannot contribute financially, please considering sharing this gofundme on your social media. And for everyone who has read this far, thank you for giving my words your precious time. Your generosity of spirit is felt and appreciated.

For anyone with questions or wanting further details, please don't hesitate to send me a message. I am happy to provide additional info/receipts/estimates as requested.

In addition, funds will be deposited into my sister Marianne's account and then distributed from there.