Dominic Bell-Alvarez

We remember the moment everything changed.

Our son, Dominic Bell-Alvarez, was born at just 26 weeks and 1 day, weighing only 730 grams. He was so small, so fragile—and from his very first breath, he had to fight to stay here.

We didn’t get the kind of beginning most parents imagine. Instead of bringing our baby home, we learned how to live beside hospital beds, monitors, and machines. We learned new language—oxygen levels, feeding tubes, medications—while trying to hold onto what it meant to just be Mom and Dad.

And even when we finally left the NICU, the reality was this:

The fight didn’t end. It just came home with us.

Today, Dominic is medically complex and GJ-tube dependent. Our days revolve around his care—medications, feeds, therapies, equipment, appointments. Things that many families never have to think about are the center of our everyday life.

But in between all of that… there’s him.

There’s his strength. His personality. The way every small milestone feels like a victory we fought for together. Progress doesn’t come easy for Dominic—but he shows up and tries anyway, every single day.

We’re raising our other children alongside all of this, doing everything we can to make sure they feel seen, supported, and loved, even in the middle of a life that often feels anything but typical.

And then there’s the part that’s harder to talk about—the financial weight of it all.

Even with insurance, so much of what Dominic needs isn’t fully covered. The cost of travel, medical supplies, and ongoing care adds up fast. It’s not just one overwhelming bill—it’s a constant stream that never really stops.

And we’re already looking ahead to one of the biggest needs we know is coming: a wheelchair accessible van. Something that isn’t a luxury for us—it’s going to be essential to safely transport Dominic and everything that comes with his care.

We didn’t choose this path—but we would choose him, every single time.

Asking for help is not easy. But we’ve learned that we can’t do this alone—and that letting people in is part of how we keep going.

This campaign is here to help carry some of that weight. To give us a little more breathing room. To allow us to focus less on how we’re going to manage it all—and more on being present for our children, especially Dominic.

If you’ve read our story, thank you for taking a moment to see our life, not just the hard parts—but the love, the fight, and the hope that holds it all together.

Dominic is still writing his story.

And we’ll be right beside him—for every step, every setback, every victory—no matter what it takes.

Family and friends of Dominic Bell-Alvarez are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a catastrophic illness. Dominic has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.