In 1993, she moved to California with her husband Joseph and 2 daughters, Michelle and Karen. Monica has always been the one to make the big moves, while quietly sitting in the back, never boasting or taking credit. She is always on the go, when she isn’t cooking up a storm for all of her relatives and friends, she was crafting all sorts of creative and meaningful keepsakes, flowers and decorations. When she wasn’t busy making all sorts of goodies, raising her daughters, she was the voice at St. Ambrose Church as the rectory secretary and a home care provider for her mom, Yvonne. She retired to take on her full time role as grandma to her granddaughter Victoria. Her life is truly dedicated to others, a woman of great faith, the definition of compassion.

Where to begin with her life as a volunteer – every Saturday at church in Guyana, one would find her polishing the candlesticks, going around the village begging for fresh flowers to make the altar floral arrangements. She attended every school event for her daughters from kinder to college. When her granddaughter Victoria began kindergarten, she was the class Grandma at Coyote Canyon Elementary, each of the teachers wanted her to decorate their classrooms. For her service she was awarded with the Honorary Service Award, given only once a year to select volunteers by the school district. She did all of this while also volunteering with the Relay For Life of Inland Empire West, now Route 66. Each year since 2016, she has been responsible for her teams fundraising and decorating the campsite. This year, she made custom candles of hope until her hands could no longer continue.
At the end of February 2023 (after pulling off a spectacular surprise birthday party for Michelle), her health journey took an unexpected turn. After being treated for a sudden bout of syncope, her diabetes medication was changed from Metformin to Jardience, as a fiercely independent person and mom, she didn’t let anyone know that her right hand was getting weaker, losing her balance and being more tired. Finally Jardience was discontinued, then a new medication was started. After waiting like what seemed like an eternity, she saw her new neurologist, he conducted an EMG test and while there was some nerve damage, it was not significant to fit her in any diagnostic box. After a muscle biopsy, Lumbar puncture, numerous CT and MRIs, there was still no conclusive diagnosis. Later, a 5 day IVIg treatment, she didn’t respond as quickly as the neurologists expected. Then began our ALS journey. After waiting another eternity, on Sept 5, 2023 Dr. Dang dropped the anvil with the ALS diagnosis. She asked for an out of network second opinion, but it was denied. Monica kept her composure, even upon a second denial for the outside opinion. On October 11, the day before her ALS clinic appointment, her husband – her quiet and steadfast caregiver, who selflessly took over every role in the house – suffered an expressive aphasia stroke, the stress and worry stacked up exponentially upon him. While at the clinic on October 12, Joseph was alone in the hospital. Right after a long day at clinic, she rushed to be at her husbands side. They are the absolute epitome of true unconditional love and each other’s world. As Joseph recovered, Monica comforted and cared for him, even though she is progressively getting weaker.

Monica’s selfless acts of kindness and putting others first has not gone unnoticed. Family and friends have been giving their love, time, prayers and donating items to make her new normal more accessible. She is exceptionally grateful and thankful to the ALS Network and Team Gleason for the immeasurable support.
Monica’s goal is to live a better quality of life with the hope of being cured and helping families who are newly diagnosed. With the help of her husband, daughters, granddaughter, two cats, extended family, friends and ALS Network, Team Gleason, I AM ALS, they are fighting to unlock the mysteries of ALS. Monica and her family would like to fulfill their dream of taking family road trips as they had planned, traveling to England, France, Italy, Guyana, and a Caribbean cruise.
As we traverse the daily ups and downs of ALS, one of the biggest challenges is transporting Monica with ease. The importance of mobility, being together as a family and still giving her the freedom to visit new places, old favorites, family and friends is the biggest reason we are fundraising for an accessible van. Renting is extremely expensive, but we do the best we can on a limited budget. It’s indeed heartbreaking for us to witness the disappointment and hurt in her eyes, when mom asks to go for a simple drive and we can’t because it’s difficult to transfer her into a small sedan. These little drives are the primary element that gives Monica the stress release from the mental and physical confinement of ALS, the freedom of the fresh air, spending precious quality time together with her husband, children, granddaughter and grand cats. This illness is terrifying and affects each person uniquely, and the certain uncertainty takes a tremendous toll on the patient and their immediate loved ones. There are good days and not-so-good days and the only option is to keep the faith, never give up hope, cherish the moments and live the best life in the current situation.

We thank you all in advance for helping us to achieve the goal and gift of transportation that is comfortable and gives her peace of mind.

Family and friends of Monica Camacho are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Illness.

Monica has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!