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<div>Dear friends and family near and far,
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<div>Our dear friends Vlad and Flor Diaz-Ochoa have an URGENT need for our help and support. We have never created a GoFundMe before, but the need is critical and there is no one more deserving of help. Thank you so much for any way you can provide support by donating or sharing this link widely.
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<div>In 2021 their lives were changed forever when Vlad was diagnosed with <a href="https://www.als.org/understanding-als/what-is-als" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ALS</a> (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease); he recently transitioned into a fully motorized wheelchair. They are no longer able to transport him in their Honda Accord, and they must find a way to make their regular trips to San Francisco for a <a href="https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/personal-connection-to-research-urges-patient-to-enroll-in-als-clinical-trial/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clinical trial</a> Vlad is enrolled in. Flor cannot safely lift him in and out of their Honda, and their car cannot fit his new electric wheelchair. Paratransit in Yolo County is unable to take him all the way into SF for his treatments. Having an accessible van will mean Vlad can continue the clinical trial, and also that their family can do things again that so many of us take for granted, like driving to soccer games together. You can read more about their family’s story below.
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<div>Donations will go directly to buying an accessible vehicle for their family as soon as possible. Any additional funds will go toward other critical needs directly related to Vlad’s ALS diagnosis, such as moving the family into wheelchair accessible housing. The condo they currently rent in Woodland (particularly the bathroom/shower) is not set up for wheelchair access.
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<div><strong>Their Story: </strong>During the summer of 2021, while many of us were navigating the challenges that pandemic life brought, Vlad began experiencing some concerning symptoms out of the blue - muscle spasms and loss of strength in his hands. After a few months of doctor’s appointments and tests, he was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 41.
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<div>To know Vlad and Flor is to love them. They are cherished members of our community and have touched the lives of so many individuals up and down our state and around the world. Their humility, generosity, and love for other humans is an inspiration to all who know them. Flor works for DJUSD at Martin Luther King (Jr.) High School, and their two young children attend Marguerite Montgomery Elementary. Flor also juggles a second job, doing work for UC Davis Medical School, as a standardized patient for medical students.
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<div>Vlad and Flor moved to Woodland from Los Angeles when he accepted a postdoc position at UC Davis in the Spring of 2016. Vlad is finishing his postdoc and has accepted a faculty position at UC Davis which will start early 2024.
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<div>They both immigrated to the US as children and were the first generation in their families to attend college. They met at Cerritos College and both graduated from UC Irvine. In a recent conversation with Flor, she told me about jobs Vlad could have taken over the years that would have been much more lucrative, but he chose to continue his path in academia because he wanted to invest in diversifying the scientific workforce.
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<div>Understandably, this ALS diagnosis has been devastating and completely unexpected for their family and their two precious children. Life as they knew it has been turned upside down. They have done their best to navigate this somewhat privately, but it is too much for them to carry alone. We can’t wait to see our community step in and help meet these urgent transportation and housing needs.
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<div>All money raised will go directly toward purchasing an accessibility van and their other extremely urgent need: moving them into housing that is wheelchair accessible.
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<div>Please know that no amount is too small, and anything you are able to donate is deeply appreciated. Another quick and easy way you can help is by sharing this fundraiser far and wide so that others can hear their story. Even commenting on and liking a social media post with their Gofundme will help us spread word and have a greater impact.
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<div>Please don’t hesitate to reach out to either of us if you have any questions at all or if you’d like to support them in other ways. Thank you!!
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<div>Sincerely,
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<div>Cristina Buss &amp; Leslie Jacobe
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<div>Friends of Vlad &amp; Flor
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Vlad & Flor Diaz-Ochoa and Family -- ALS Support

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