Alyssa Ross

This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write.… My dad died by suicide on May 1, 2010. That day changed my life forever. As his only child, I’ve carried the grief, the questions, and the responsibility of honoring him - largely on my own. For years, I’ve held onto one wish: to lay him to rest where he always wanted to be at Greenwood Memorial Park, near Jimi Hendrix. A place that brought him peace. But life kept moving, and the weight of everything made it hard to get there. Since losing my dad, our family has been hit by multiple suicides. The kind of loss that doesn’t just hurt, it reshapes you. It makes asking for help feel almost impossible. You learn to carry things quietly, to survive, to keep going even when it’s heavy. And if I’m being honest… asking for help like this goes against everything in me. But I can’t do this alone anymore. The total cost to finally lay my dad to rest is a little over $18,000, which would take my family about five years to pay off. Right now, I’m just trying to come up with the $1,500 deposit to begin. As a stay-at-home mom to two high-needs children, living on one income, this is simply more than we can manage on our own. I don’t have siblings to lean on, and I haven’t had support from his spouse since the time of his passing. This has been a long, lonely road. More than anything, I just want to give my dad peace. To know he’s finally where he wanted to be. To close a chapter that has been open for far too long. If you feel moved to donate, share, or even just send a kind thought our way it truly means everything. There is no amount too small. Thank you for reading, and for holding space for my story. With love, Alyssa

Our family is facing an incredibly difficult season, and we’re reaching out with humility and hope. Sandie has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. During this time, she is being lovingly cared for by her granddaughter, Mikka, who is also raising her 10-year-old son, Luca, who has high special needs. Their days revolve around caregiving, medical appointments, therapies, and doing everything possible to keep life stable while navigating an overwhelming reality. On February 7th, everything became even harder. While parked outside their home, their only vehicle was struck by two separate vehicles, one being the suspect who was uninsured and another unoccupied vehicle! An appraiser has since confirmed that the car is completely totaled. This was not just a car—it was fully paid off, meticulously cared for, and something Sandie worked extremely hard to provide. She kept it in amazing condition with the intention of leaving it to Mikka and Luca as a way to help care for them now and in the future. In a single moment, that sense of security was taken away. On top of losing their only transportation, there are significant insurance deductibles and out-of-pocket costs they are now responsible for, adding even more financial strain during an already painful time. The medical expenses alone have been overwhelming. Most recently, Sandie received a $5,000 medical bill for a blood test that was not covered by Medicare. Living on Social Security, these unexpected and uncovered costs have created an enormous burden, especially while facing a terminal diagnosis. This loss has been especially heavy for Sandie. Beyond the immediate transportation crisis, she carries deep worry about leaving her family in a vulnerable situation if she passes. Her greatest wish is to ensure Mikka and Luca are not left without reliable transportation, resources, or a plan for the expenses that come with end-of-life care and funeral costs. We are raising funds to help: • Replace the totaled vehicle and cover insurance deductibles • Ensure continued access to medical and care appointments • Help cover ongoing and uncovered medical expenses • Cover end-of-life and funeral expenses when the time comes • Help stabilize future caregiving and living costs during this transition This family has faced every challenge with strength and love, but no one should have to carry terminal illness, caregiving, financial strain, and sudden loss all at once. If you’re able to donate, share, or keep this family in your thoughts, it means more than words can express. Your support will bring peace of mind, dignity, and stability during a time when it’s needed most. Thank you for reading, caring, and standing with them.