Hi there! That's a photo of our Uncle Ted, our dad's brother. We wanted to use a photo of them together but few exist because they have lived apart for decades and were only reunited in 2018 — the first time in nearly 30 years — in the Philippines. It was also the first time our dad, Rey, was able to visit home and see his siblings since immigrating to the U.S. just as long ago.

Our Uncle Ted has been diagnosed with liver cancer. The cost of his medications is more than what our dad can and should shoulder on his own. Both of us — his two daughters — are chipping in financially, but the monthly costs are overwhelming. Reaching our goal amount would help us ensure that our uncle can get the care he needs for the next year.

Our dad is not one to ask for help. He has always quietly given it. He's been the steady provider for his siblings (and now their own children) in the Philippines since his early 20s, when he first left to work abroad. He was the only one of them to eventually make it to the U.S. His whole life, he’s worked long hours, lived frugally, and poured his earnings back into two households: the one he came from, and the one he built here.

Please consider donating or sharing this fundraiser with your network. Every dollar will go directly to our uncle’s cancer treatment and help ease the financial burden on our dad. If for any reason we have leftover funds, they will be donated to Health Futures Foundation, a non-profit involved in the management of health programs in the Philippines, where, according to one study, 99% of people can’t afford their prescription medications.

— Rae & Rio