remove financial burdens for the DiStefano Family

Hello all. I come to you again 3 years after seeking financial help for my Brother, Mike DiStefano, my sister in law Nicole DiStefano and my precious neice-their one and only child -Gabby DiStefano. Gabby has been battling a terminal illness called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy. (MLD). Many of you have followed their journey since the diagnosis 3 years ago almost exactly to the date. We watched Gabby lose her ability to walk, to eat, to talk, to move about and we saw her struggle in and out of hospitals just to maintain wellness and comfort.

Through your love and support and donations, through gofundme, purchasing Tshirts, attending fundraisers, Michael and Nicole have been able to modify their home to accommodate Gabby’s needs, modify their lives and works less, provide every necessary piece of equipment and maintain the equipment, pay for hotels and food and gas for trips to Boston from Nh to get her care at Boston Children’s, live as a family under extreme low income and enjoy as much as they could at home, with their beautiful little girl for 3 whole years now. Gabby’s community of Stars have come through and I know they are all so grateful. Thank thank you to all that have supported them.

In return, Gabby has given us many gifts, including her infectious laughter and beaming smiles, sweet words and sayings that will forever fill us with joy when spoken in her memory- a language of her own- her Gabbyisms. She taught us what it means to appreciate the small things of life and grow a deeper understanding of love on levels we never imagined.

Gabby’s prognosis was never good and we hoped and still do hope she will live for longer than the standard lifespan of age 5-6. She was diagnosed just after turning 2 years old and she just celebrated her 5th birthday. It was a magical occasion. We are so grateful that she could celebrate with her favorite princess themes and Queen Elsa came and sang to Gabby - Gabby has always loved music but especially a Disney Princess song. Just after her 5th birthday, another regression came and she was med flighted to BCH. This week she will be going home from Boston Children’s to begin hospice/comfort care.

While the doctors say she only has weeks left, Michael and Nicole have faith for many more months- they hope for at least six more months because Gabby has shown us she is a fighter. This disease is a monster and it is unfair. It promises us nothing but loss.

I’m here to ask with a humble heart that whether weeks or months, please donate to Mike and Nicole because the last thing I want them to think about is money or working or how to pay for the bills during this process of comfort care at home. In addition, I don’t want them to stress about the costs for arrangements- in fact, my hope is that they can have enough funds to choose any selection, any arrangement, at any cost when they so need to make these decisions. Gabby deserves the best celebration of life and memorial services.

Before Gabby was med flighted to BCH last weekend on 18th (Father’s Day) Nicole’s income as Gabby’s caretaker had ended. Her courses start tomorrow for her to resume the paid position but of course now she will not be attending. Michael had been interviewing for jobs and was considering an offer to start next week, but he will not be able to do so. And they should not have to do either. After 3 years of taking such special care of Gabby, they deserve to rest, enjoy her presence in their home and not worry about anything else especially not worry about money.

Once the inevitable comes, there will be grief, they will need time and they will need financial support.

My goal is 30K but that it hardly going to cut it if we truly want them to be financially supported through these stages.

Gabby’s Stars is what we call her village and supporters. I am reaching out to you all, please donate, please share, and please keep Michael and Nicole and Gabby in your prayers.