I’m fundraising for my best friend Adriana Casas and her family as they navigate one of the hardest moments of their lives. Adriana’s mother, Blanca Casas, recently passed away after years of health complications. Her passing was heartbreaking. Because of her medical condition, she didn’t qualify for life insurance, leaving the family to cover all funeral and burial expenses on their own.

I’ve known Adriana since college. She’s one of the most thoughtful and giving people I’ve ever met. She’s a preschool teacher who spends her own money to make sure her students have quality supplies, toys and books. She puts so much into creating a classroom where every child feels seen and represented.

Her parents, Blanca and Pancho, have always been the kind of people who quietly hold up their community. They’ve fed friends, babysat, offered advice, and opened their home more times than anyone can count. Blanca was warm, funny, lively and full of love. She had a way of making every person feel important and always had a home cooked meal or pot of coffee to offer.

The family wants to give Blanca the peaceful and dignified farewell she deserves, but the cost is more than they can manage alone. The total funeral and burial expenses come to $16,000, and they need at least half by November 24th to move forward with the arrangements.

Every contribution, no matter the amount, will go directly to Blanca’s funeral and burial services. If you’re not able to give, simply sharing this page would help more than you know.

Thank you for taking a moment to read and for any kindness you can extend to this family during such a painful time.