The Ruello Family needs our help.

Hi everyone. My name is Marty Mitchell, and I am seeking financial support for a friend and brother in his time of need.

Many of you know John Ruello from our time together at JMU. He and his family have fallen into difficult financial hardship owing to medical concerns and loss of employment. Due to complications related to diabetes, John was in and out of the hospital for a year and lost his right foot. Subsequently, he lost his job, ending his career in financial services. He is now in danger of losing the leg to the knee.

It broke my heart (and many of yours, I'm sure) when John solicited financial help on social media a couple of years ago. Imagine the desperation and humility it took for JR to issue that call for help. Thanks to many of you, the response at that time (through a previous fundraising effort) was generous, and it helped his family cover overdue medical expenses and other bills.

The health and financial struggles didn't end there, however. John currently has an open sore on his limb (neuropathy wound) that is excruciating and debilitating. His son has seizures nearly every week due to a sports-related head injury and being hit by a drunk driver. He is unable to work and needs brain surgery. And his wife, who recently lost sight in one of her eyes, has been doing all she can to support the family on a modest administrative assistant's income.

The family is at risk of being evicted from their apartment and in immediate need of funds to pay their $2000 monthly rent and cover personal expenses through the Holidays. This will be a huge help while John looks for work-from-home employment opportunities.

Thank you for taking the time to read John's story, and for any financial assistance you can provide. In John's words, "I was prepared for life and it threw me one helluva curveball. I'm forever appreciative of the help and support from my friends and even strangers. I will pass it on to others every chance I get."