Dear Friends, Supporters, and Kind Strangers,

Imagine your car turning into a furnace while you're en route to a critical doctor's appointment. This isn't a hypothetical fear for me; it's a traumatic reality I’ve faced and am desperately trying to prevent from happening again as summer arrives.

• I'm in my mid-30s, navigating life with multiple chronic illnesses and disabilities (including Psoriatic Arthritis/PsO, Celiac/GI issues, possible Sjogren's, Fibromyalgia, and severe chronic pain). After losing my job in 2023, I've been struggling to make ends meet. My old 2004 Aveo is not just a car; it's my only way to reach essential medical appointments – like one I urgently need to attend this June – and to get the life-sustaining medication that manages constant pain.
  I'm not living at this point; I am barely surviving.
• The Danger is Critical and Immediate Without working air conditioning, my compact Aveo quickly becomes dangerously hot. To make matters worse, only the front windows roll down (with a struggle), and the back ones are stuck, creating an oven-like environment with minimal air circulation. My medical conditions make me extremely vulnerable to heat, causing rapid dehydration and electrolyte loss.
• In 2022, this exact scenario led to a terrifying heatstroke. During a heatwave, trapped in my car (and ingesting fumes from the situation), my left hand locked into a fist, my feet went numb, and I became dangerously confused and disoriented. With only 5% phone battery, I barely managed to pull over in heavy traffic and crawl out for help. It was a harrowing experience I cannot afford to repeat.

Why I Urgently Need Your Help Now Summer heat is already here in Philadelphia, and every day without AC is a direct threat to my health and safety. I'm getting sicker, and my upcoming June appointment is vital. I’ve poured every spare cent into essential car repairs like the alternator and brake pads, but fixing the AC is currently beyond my means. I'm renting a room, isolated without family or close friends nearby for support. I truly hate asking for help, but I’ve exhausted all other options and I'm scared, running out of resources, and facing a critical deadline.

My Plea: A Chance for Health, Safety, and Hope This fundraiser is an urgent appeal to repair the air conditioning in my car. This isn't about comfort; it's about survival:

• Safely reaching my June medical appointment and all future essential care.
• Preventing another life-threatening heatstroke.
• Allowing me to manage my chronic pain and, with improved health, hopefully find part-time work again.

Your contribution, no matter the size, will be a lifeline. Sharing this appeal with your friends, family, and social networks would also be an incredible act of kindness. (I shared photos of the car parts needing attention, but it's mostly everything A/C related).

Holding Onto Hope Despite how helpless and overwhelmed I feel, I'm clinging to hope for a future with less pain and more stability. Your compassion could be the turning point.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my story and for any support you can offer.