Help Cover My Father’s Medical and Janazah Costs

April 9, 2025 update:

I am heartbroken to inform that my father has passed away this morning. Yesterday was my birthday, and after long and exhausting 48-hours of traveling back from Spain, last night I landed in Ohio with the hope to spend one last birthday with my baba as I was informed the day before that he's rapidly declining and possibly won't make it to the end of the week. I am heartbroken to lose my baba. I am currently tending the transportation of his body from OH to NJ, and my best friend Evelyne is taking care of fundraising logistics for me. Please help me share my campaign to reach my goal so I can give my baba a dignified burial.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

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Assalamu Aleikum,

My name is Azra O'Connor and I am a Clark University student ‘26. My father is currently battling stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer that has metastasized to his bones and vital organs. Sadly, he does not have medical insurance and is now receiving end-of-life hospice care. I am the only one in charge of covering expenses with no support from family whatsoever. Thus I am fundraising to cover his outstanding medical and hospice expenses, his Janazah (Funeral), and his burial through our masjid in New Jersey. My goal is to give him a dignified farewell rooted in our Islamic values and traditions.

My father was diagnosed late December 2024. Around the same time, our house caught on fire and all of our life memories and belongings were lost. Because he didn’t have where to live he couldn't start treatment which dramatically worsened his condition. Ultimately, he underwent radiation therapy and several surgeries to help ease his pain but the cancer spread across his body.

Throughout my life, my father has always been my biggest supporter and source of strength. He encouraged me in every stage of my education and life, constantly reminding me to stay true to myself and to keep going, no matter how hard things got. Now, in what may be the final stage of his journey, I am doing everything I can to be there for him—just as he’s always been there for me.

Every donation—no matter how small—brings us closer to honoring my father with the care and dignity he deserves.

Breakdown of expenses:

This is an incredibly heavy time for our family, and I am humbly asking for your help—whether through a donation, a share, or your dua (prayers). Every contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward his palliative care and ensuring that his burial is carried out in accordance with the Sunnah, alleviating the enormous burden on my shoulders.

May Allah reward you for your kindness and generosity. Thank you for your support and compassion during this difficult time.

Venmo/CashApp donations will be collected by my best friend, Evelyne, who’s helping me with logistics of fundraising: @EvelinDiazAraque (last 4 digits: 9530)