DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Dear Family and Friends, First, we send you our deepest love and hope that you and your families are well. September has been an incredibly difficult month for us. My beautiful partner, Sophie, has had to endure two major surgeries in one day while I’ve stepped into the role of full-time caretaker, family provider, and father - all at once. Sophie’s medical journey began years ago, in the summer of 2017. While carrying our little son, Joaquin, in her arms during a sudden rainstorm, she tripped on a broken pavement. Her first instinct was not to protect herself, but to shield and keep Joaquin safe. Unfortunately, she took the full impact of the fall on her knee. The result was a devastating fracture of her kneecap. Within days of her fall, Sophie was rushed into surgery. Sadly, that operation — performed in a public hospital by interns — left her with surgical pins in her knee that should have been removed within a year. No one ever told her. For seven long years, Sophie endured constant pain and discomfort when exercising because of those pins. This September, just as we were finally preparing for the long-overdue procedure to remove them, we were hit with another crushing blow: Sophie was suddenly diagnosed with gallbladder stones. The situation was urgent. In one grueling day, doctors performed two major surgeries back-to-back — removing the surgical pins from her knee while also performing a cholecystectomy, taking out her gallbladder along with over 50 stones that had been threatening her health. Through it all, Sophie has shown a strength and grace that inspires everyone who knows her. She is an incredible mother, a devoted daughter and sister, a beloved teacher to her art students, and the most loving and supportive partner I could ever ask for. But as you can imagine, the financial toll has been overwhelming. Without medical insurance and with only my income to support our family, we now face a mountain of unexpected medical bills. Here are just some of the expenses we are working to cover: Pre-surgery doctor’s visits Lab expenses (abdominal ultrasound, knee X-rays) Pre-surgical testing (blood work, EKG) Surgical procedures: gallbladder removal & knee pin removal Two-day hospitalization Post-surgery medications Knee rehabilitation therapy Transportation to and from the hospital (we do not own a car) How You Can Help We are asking, from the depths of our hearts, for your support. Every contribution — no matter the size — will go directly toward Sophie’s recovery and the medical bills that weigh heavily on our family. If you are able, please consider giving as generously as you can. Your gift will not only ease our financial burden but will also give Sophie the peace of mind she needs to focus fully on healing. I will be documenting her recovery and sharing photos and updates our fundraiser. If you are able to give, no matter the amount, please also add a note to your donation. Sophie and I want to personally thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and the love you are showing us in this difficult time. If a donation is not possible at this time, we kindly ask that you share this campaign with your friends and family on social media. Your voice can help us reach others who may be able to help. From our family to yours: thank you for standing with us throughout this difficult time. Your kindness, prayers, and generosity mean more than words can express. . With gratitude and love, Sophie, Nova, Joaquin and David

QUITO, ECUADOR - In the middle of a crowded, noisy street market where the air was heavy with the smell of livestock, cages stacked on top of each other, and frightened animals huddled in corners, we found him — a tiny, fragile black kitten no bigger than the palm of our hand. His fur was matted, his little body trembling from cold and fear. Among the shouts of vendors and the cries of animals, he looked up at us with the most haunting pair of eyes — eyes that silently pleaded for help. He was being kept in a cage with baby chicks. That day, we couldn’t turn away. We scooped him up from the dirty cage where he had been left without food or water, his tiny ribs visible beneath his skin. He didn’t fight, didn’t even meow — just pressed himself into the warmth of our hands as if he knew he was safe at last. We named him Kenay. Kenay’s first days with us were a mix of relief and heartbreak. He slept for hours, curled into a small ball, waking only to nibble at food and sip water. We could see he was exhausted from his time in the market. He is so young — barely starting life — but has already faced more hardship than any living creature should endure. Now, Kenay needs urgent medical care to have a real chance at a healthy, happy future. He needs a full round of vaccinations to protect him from deadly diseases, deworming, flea treatment, and a thorough vet check to ensure there are no lingering illnesses from his time in the market. These basic treatments are critical for his survival, and we want to give him everything he needs to recover and grow strong. Your support will cover: Veterinary examination and tests Vaccinations and parasite treatment Nutritional food for his recovery Ongoing care and follow-up visits Every small contribution will go directly to Kenay’s care. Even the cost of a cup of coffee can help us buy him food or cover part of a vaccine. Kenay’s story could have ended in that market — in the cold, in a cage, surrounded by the sound of animals waiting for a fate they didn’t choose. But now, because of kindness, his story is just beginning. We dream of the day we see him chasing a toy, climbing a cat tree, and finally purring with the joy of a life free from fear. Please help us give Kenay the future he deserves. Together, we can turn his rescue into a full recovery — a transformation from a market cage to a warm, safe home filled with love. From the bottom of our hearts — and from Kenay’s tiny paws — thank you and God Bless.