Support Aliyah's Journey to Healing

Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

I am reaching out with a deep and heartfelt request for support during an incredibly challenging time for my beloved, Aliyah, and for us as a household.

For over a decade, Aliyah has battled debilitating medical symptoms that have profoundly affected her quality of life. Over the past year, these challenges have intensified, making it difficult for her to work, maintain her social connections, and support her mental well-being. She experiences severe digestive issues, chronic pain in her neck, lower back, and uterus, immobilizing menstrual cycles, extreme fatigue and weakness, full-body aches, sharp pains, light and noise sensitivity, and sudden food intolerances, among other symptoms. At times, the pain is so intense that she cannot walk without assistance, requiring my help to get in and out of bed. Most of her days are spent managing pain through rest, a heating pad, a TENS unit, and daily physical therapy.

Recently, a mass was discovered near her cervix, and we are in the midst of a long and arduous process to obtain the necessary surgical tests. Aliyah is currently scheduled for four upcoming surgical testing procedures that we hope will provide more clarity. However, this process has been slow, exhausting, and expensive. Despite numerous doctor visits and ongoing testing, we still do not have a clear diagnosis. As Aliyah focuses on healing and prioritizing her studies in hopes of building a better, more financially stable future for herself, we are turning to our community for support during this challenging transition.

The physical and emotional toll of chronic pain and medical uncertainty has been compounded by financial strain. Aliyah has been unable to work due to the severity of her condition and has been relying on student loans, which barely cover basic necessities. While I recently secured full-time employment, the financial burden remains overwhelming. I am even considering taking a sabbatical from my studies to take on additional work to help fund her medical care.

After extensive research, Aliyah has determined that working with a Functional Medicine Practitioner is one of her best chances at finally getting answers and effective treatment. Unfortunately, this type of care is not covered by insurance, meaning we must pay out of pocket. We estimate that her medical expenses over the next year will total over $32,000, which includes specialist visits, necessary testing, treatments, and holistic care. Given her ongoing inability to work, we are also seeking support for basic living expenses such as rent, groceries, and utilities to help alleviate some of the stress so she can focus on healing.

Breakdown of Estimated Expenses:

Functional Medicine Membership | $2,400/year ($200/month)

Comprehensive Testing | $1,000 (one-time fee)

Mold Specialist | $500 (one-time fee)

Chronic Pain Specialized Therapist | $4,000 ($333/month)

Treatments:

Pilates (necessary for rehabilitation) | $2,160 ($180/month)

Hydrocolonic Cleanses | $1,500–$4,200 ($125–$350/month)

Supplements (based on testing results) | Estimated $800/month

Acupuncture | $1,800 ($150/month)

Dietary Needs (anti-inflammatory high quality + nutrient dense) | $7,200 ($600/month)

Additional Support:

Mutual Aid for Rent & Utilities | $21,600 ($1,800/month)

Total Estimated Cost: | $32,700 (excluding cost of basic living expenses)

These expenses reflect 12 months of treatment based on the Functional Medicine practitioner’s recommendation for long-term care. This does not include a direct request for assistance with rent and utilities, but any support in this area would be deeply appreciated.

We believe deeply in the strength of community care and we are trusting deeply in the web of relations to find the support we need at this time. No one should have to navigate a crisis alone, and mutual aid reminds us that when one of us is struggling, we lean on each other, just as we hope to offer support when others are in need.

If you are in a position to contribute financially, any amount, no matter how small, will make a tangible difference in helping Aliyah access the care she needs. If you are unable to donate, we deeply appreciate any help in sharing our fundraiser, offering resources, or simply holding us in your prayers.

We are immensely grateful for the love, kindness, and generosity of those around us. Thank you for being part of our support system during this time. Your help means the world to us, and we look forward to the day when we can pay it forward.

With deep love,

Zac & Aliyah